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Burkheads Test

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Other Names

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Illustration of Thumbs up thumbs down test[1]
  • Burkhead's Thumbs Up
  • Burkhead's Thumbs Down
  • Thumbs Up Test
  • Thumbs Down Test

Purpose

  • Evaluate the rotator cuff as a cause of the patients shoulder pain
  • Note: this is likely just the empty can test, however given that it has a thumbs up and thumbs down component, it is listed as a seperate test

Description

Burkhead’s Thumbs Up

  • Patients arm is placed into 70 degrees of forward flexion in the scapula plane
  • thumbs pointing up
  • Patient then attempts further flexion against resistance
  • Positive Test
    • Pain may indicate anterosuperior cuff weakness

Burkhead’s Thumbs Down

  • The same as above
  • However, thumb pointing down
  • Positive Test
    • Pain may indicate posterosuperior cuff weakness

Pathology

Evidence

  • Unknown

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Budoff, Jeffrey E. "The etiology of rotator cuff disease and treatment of partial-thickness pathology." Journal of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand 5.3 (2005): 139-152.
Created by:
John Kiel on 23 February 2025 17:25:16
Authors:
Last edited:
20 August 2025 17:36:45
Category:
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