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Bear Hug Test

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The varying positions of the bear-hug test: A, with the shoulder 10 ° superior to the shoulder line and held in a position of maximal anterior translation; B, at the reported ideal position, with the elbow in line with the shoulder and held in a position of maximal anterior translation; C, with the shoulder 10 ° inferior to the shoulder line and held in a position of maximal anterior translation.[1]
Bear hug test[2]
  • Bear Hug Test
  • Bear-Hug Test
  • Bear Hug Sign
  • Subscapularis Strength Test
  • Internal Rotation Resistance Test
  • Rotator Cuff Subscapularis Test
  • Shoulder Internal Rotation Test
  • Subscapularis Integrity Test

Purpose

  • Evaluate integrity of the Subscapularis Muscle in patients with shoulder pain

Description

  • The patient is seated or standing
  • Place hand of affected side on opposite shoulder
  • Examiner attempts to lift hand off of shoulder
  • The patient is instructed to hold position against resistance
  • Positive test
    • Inability to hold hand on opposite shoulder

Pathology

Evidence

Subscapularis Tear

  • Kappe et al[3], Barth et al[4], [5]
    • Sensitivity: 52% to 82%
    • Specificity: 84% to 92%

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Pennock, Andrew T., et al. "The influence of arm and shoulder position on the bear-hug, belly-press, and lift-off tests: an electromyographic study." The American journal of sports medicine 39.11 (2011): 2338-2346.
  2. ↑ Phillips, Nick. "Tests for diagnosing subacromial impingement syndrome and rotator cuff disease." Shoulder & elbow 6.3 (2014): 215-221.
  3. ↑ Kappe, Thomas, et al. "Diagnostic performance of clinical tests for subscapularis tendon tears." Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 26.1 (2018): 176-181.
  4. ↑ Barth, Johannes RH, Stephen S. Burkhart, and Joe F. De Beer. "The bear-hug test: a new and sensitive test for diagnosing a subscapularis tear." Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery 22.10 (2006): 1076-1084.
  5. ↑ Barth, Johannes, et al. "Diagnosis of subscapularis tendon tears: are available diagnostic tests pertinent for a positive diagnosis?." Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research 98.8 (2012): S178-S185.
Created by:
John Kiel on 10 April 2022 16:35:14
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Last edited:
28 October 2025 13:17:14
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