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

Which two special tests should be performed for a patient suspected of bicipital tendinitis?

1. McMurray's and Lachman's Test

2. Speed's and Yergason's Test

3. Neer's Test and Hawkins-Kennedy Test

4. Apprehension Test and Relocation Test

The correct answer is: Speed's and Yergason's Test

For a patient suspected of bicipital tendinitis, performing Speed's and Yergason's tests is appropriate because these tests specifically assess the integrity and function of the biceps tendon and its associated structures. Speed's test evaluates the biceps tendon by checking for pain in the anterior shoulder region while the patient resists shoulder flexion against resistance, indicating irritation or inflammation of the tendon. Yergason's test further examines the biceps tendon by assessing the stability of the tendon in the bicipital groove. When the patient externally rotates the arm against resistance, any reproduction of pain can indicate tendinitis or instability of the long head of the biceps tendon. The other tests listed do not directly relate to evaluating bicipital tendinitis. For instance, McMurray's and Lachman's tests focus on the knee joint, particularly assessing meniscal tears and anterior cruciate ligament integrity, respectively. Neer's and Hawkins-Kennedy tests are more oriented towards impingement syndromes of the shoulder rather than isolating issues with the biceps tendon itself. The Apprehension and Relocation tests assess glenohumeral joint stability, which is not the primary concern when diagnosing bicipital tendinitis.