Belly Off Sign
Other Names
[[image:Shoulder belly off sign.jpeg|thumb|right|Belly off sign (A) starting position and (B) ending position[1]
- Belly Off Sign
- Belly-off Sign
- Belly Off Test
Purpose
- Evaluate Subscapularis as a cause of shoulder pain
Description
- The patient is seated or standing
- Affected arm passively brought into flexion, maximum internal rotation with the elbow 90° flexed.
- Elbow is supported by 1 hand of the examiner
- The other hand brings the arm into maximum internal rotation
- Place the palm of the hand on the abdomen
- The examiner releases the wrist, asking patient to maintain this position
- Positive test
- Lag, pain, inability to maintain position
Pathology
Evidence
- Kappe et al[3]
- Sensitivity: 31%
- Specificity: 97%
- PPV: 83%
- NPV: 77%
- Diagnostic Accuracy: 77%
See Also
References
- ↑ Myer, Cortney A., et al. "A user's guide to performance of the best shoulder physical examination tests." British Journal of Sports Medicine 47.14 (2013): 903-907.
- ↑ Scheibel, Markus, et al. "The belly-off sign: a new clinical diagnostic sign for subscapularis lesions." Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery 21.10 (2005): 1229-1235.
- ↑ Kappe, Thomas, et al. "Diagnostic performance of clinical tests for subscapularis tendon tears." Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 26.1 (2018): 176-181.
Created by:
John Kiel on 24 February 2025 15:33:56
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Last edited:
20 January 2026 13:41:49
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