The empty can test is used to assess for the presence of injury/pathology to the supraspinatus. This test is also known as the supraspinatus strength test. The patient is either seated or standing with his arms in a position of scapation (approximately 30-degrees of horizontal adduction with the shoulders abducted to 90-degrees). The patient attempts to resist downward overpressure being applied by the examiner. A positive result occurs when the patient is unable to resist the force.
5 comments:
I'm a second year medical student and I've gotta say this website was a great find. I was looking for a good explanation of the empty can test and this is it!
Have you given any thought to including anatomic drawings with these videos?
This test is not fully explained here.This test is done in combination with the "Full Can Test" and then the positive or negative result can be determined by the result finding in each.
Shame on these individuals for giving/explaining one component of the test.
As well, Boettcher, Ginn & Carruthers (2009) demonstrated on EMG studies that the supraspinatus is not sufficiently isolated in the empty can postion of abduction, calling into question the validity of this test for the diagnosis of suprapinatus patholgy.
Thank you for your wide information. It is an interesting blog...
Orthopaedic Shoulder Surgeon Irvine
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