Horizontal Flexion Test

Other Names

Demonstration of the horizontal flexion test

• Horizontal Flexion Test
• Thompson Horizontal Flexion Test
• Kopell Horizontal Flexion Test
• Hara Test
• Glenohumeral Horizontal Adduction Test
• Horizontal Adduction Test (HorAdd)
• Posterior Shoulder Horizontal Flexion Test
• Posterior Glenohumeral Horizontal Flexion Test
• Thompson Horizontal Flexion Test
• Kopell Test
• Hara Test
• Posterior Capsule Horizontal Adduction Test
• Posterior Shoulder Tightness Test

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Purpose

• To evaluate range of motion of the posterior glenohumeral joint

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Description

• Patient is supine
• Patient brings their shoulder into abduction to 90 degrees
• Examiner stabilizes the scapula posteriorly
• Patient then passively abducts across the head in the coronal plane
• Positive test
  • Subjects upper arm fails to touch head
  • Subject is unable to reach across and touch the other side of the examination table

Alternative Description

• The patient is standing
• Move the arm to 90 degrees of abduction
• Bring it across the body into maximal horizontal flexion
• Positive test
  • Pain over the back of the scapula

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Pathology

• Tightness of the posterior glenohumeral joint
• Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment

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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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