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

What test involves the therapist suddenly letting go of the patient's upper extremity?

1. Neer Impingement Test

2. Drop-Arm Test

3. Apprehension Crank Test

4. Feagin Test

The correct answer is: Drop-Arm Test

The Drop-Arm Test is designed to evaluate a patient's rotator cuff integrity, particularly the supraspinatus tendon. During this test, the therapist raises the patient's arm to a position above the shoulder and then suddenly releases it. If the patient is unable to control the descent of the arm and it falls abruptly, this suggests a possible tear or weakness in the rotator cuff muscles, indicating pathology. In contrast, the Neer Impingement Test evaluates shoulder impingement by positioning the arm and moving it to see if there is pain due to the greater tuberosity impinging against the acromion. The Apprehension Crank Test assesses instability of the glenohumeral joint by positioning the arm in relation to the shoulder and testing the apprehension response. The Feagin Test evaluates the integrity of the shoulder joint through a specific position to check for glenohumeral instability. Each of these tests has its own specific purpose and methodology that differs from the Drop-Arm Test, which directly involves the sudden release of support for the raised arm.