Purpose
Resisted AC Joint Extension Test (or the AC Resisted Extension Test) is used to help identify acromioclavicular joint pathology in both traumatic and non-traumatic/chronic overuse cases,[1] and can be useful in helping differentiate between AC joint and impingement syndromes.[2]
Technique[3]
- The patient is seated with the therapist standing behind him/her
- The patient’s shoulder is positioned into 90 flexion and internal rotation, with the placed into 90 flexion
- The therapist places his/her hand on the patient’s elbow and asks him/her to horizontally abduct the arm against isometric resistance
- A positive test is pain at the AC joint
Evidence[5]
Sensitivity (%) | 72 |
Specificity (%) | 85 |
Positive Predictive Value (%) | 20 |
Negative Predictive Value (%) | 98 |
Test Item Cluster:
This test can be combined with the Cross Body Adduction Test and
Sensitivity (%)
Specificity (%)
Positive Predictive Value (%)
Negative Predictive Value (%)
Positive in 3/3
25
97
31
96
Positive in 2/3
81
89
28
99
Positive in 1/3
0
74
17
100
References