College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

If a patient presents with a positive Neer's Test, what type of impingement do they likely have?

1. Subdeltoid impingement

2. Subacromial impingement

3. Rotator cuff impingement

4. Glenoid impingement

The correct answer is: Subacromial impingement

A positive Neer's Test indicates that there is likely subacromial impingement. This test assesses for the presence of impingement of the rotator cuff tendons, particularly the supraspinatus tendon, underneath the acromion process. When the arm is raised in flexion (the movement tested in the Neer’s Test), if pain is elicited, it suggests that the structures within the subacromial space are being compressed. Subacromial impingement is a common shoulder condition where the tendons of the rotator cuff are pinched during overhead activities, leading to inflammation and pain. The Neer's Test specifically targets this condition, making it a reliable indicator for diagnosing subacromial impingement. In contrast, other types of impingement, such as subdeltoid, rotator cuff (which generally refers to the overall group of tendons), and glenoid impingement, either do not specifically align with the findings of a positive Neer’s Test or are less distinctly diagnosed by this particular test. The specificity of the Neer’s Test for the subacromial space directly aligns it with the diagnosis of subacromial impingement, confirming the answer.