Drop Sign

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A, Arm is held at 90 ~ elevation and near full external rotation; patient is then asked to maintain this position. B, Sign is positive when lag or drop occurs. Magnitude of lag is judged in degrees

• Drop Sign
• 90/90 Drop Lag Test

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Purpose

• Evaluate the integrity of the rotator cuff as a cause of the patients symptoms

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Description

• The patient is seated
• Examiner abducts the affected arm to 90 degrees, externally rotates the limb
• Elbow is also flexed to 90 degrees
• While holding the arm, the examiner asks the patient to maintain this position
• Examiner releases the arm
• Positive test
• Lag/drop occurs
  • Inability to maintain external rotation implicates infraspinatus/teres minor
  • Inability to maintain abduction implications supraspinatus

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Pathology

• Rotator Cuff Tear

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Evidence

• Unknown

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See Also

• Shoulder Anatomy Main
• Physical Exam Shoulder
• Shoulder Pain Main

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