Swimmer arm-to-shoulder test for early differentiation between shoulder and cervical spine pathology in patients with shoulder pain

Review written by Dr Sarah Haag info

Key Points

  1. The Swimmer arm-to-shoulder (SAS) test is an active test to differentiate between cervical radiculopathy and shoulder impingement.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint that leads people to seek medical care. Identifying the “cause” of the pain is often a goal of both the patient and the clinician. Performing a thorough history and physical examination is very important, and oftentimes, the physical exam consists of special tests to identify structures that may be contributing to the patient’s presentation.

The objective of this study was to test the reliability, clinical benefit, and screening value of the Swimmer Arm-to-Shoulder (SAS) test, aiming to differentiate shoulder impingement from cervical radiculopathy in patients presenting with shoulder pain for less than 12 weeks.

Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint that leads people to seek medical care.
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The Swimmer arm-to-shoulder test is a very simple test that seems effective in differentiating shoulder impingement from cervical radiculopathy.

METHODS

  • 718 consecutive patients between the ages of 40 and 65 presenting with unilateral and localized shoulder pain lasting less than 12 weeks were included in this study if they were diagnosed with shoulder or cervical pathology according to physical examination
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