The passive compression test: a new clinical test for superior labral tears of the shoulder.
BACKGROUND
Even though there are several physical tests available for superior labrum anterior posterior lesions, there have been very few reports on their accuracy, and none can be regarded as completely predictive for the presence of a superior labrum anterior posterior lesion in the shoulder joint.


OBJECTIVE
This new clinical test is a useful and accurate technique for detecting superior labral tears in the shoulder joint.


METHODS
Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.


METHODS
This test was conducted independently by 2 physicians before any other diagnostic evaluation. In all cases, the glenohumeral joint was investigated first, and the appropriate treatments were performed on the lesion. A protocol was established to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of this new clinical test. The reproducibility of this test was evaluated with a kappa coefficient.


RESULTS
Sixty-one patients (61 shoulders) were examined with the passive compression test, and all underwent arthroscopic surgery. In 31 patients with a positive passive compression test result, 27 had a superior labrum anterior posterior lesion, and in 30 patients with a negative passive compression test result, 6 had a superior labrum anterior posterior lesion. The sensitivity of the test was 81.8%, and the specificity was 85.7%. The positive predictive value was 87.1%, and the negative predictive value was 80.0%. The kappa coefficient was 0.771 between the 2 independent examiners (P< .01).


CONCLUSIONS
The passive compression test is a useful and accurate technique for predicting superior labral tears of the shoulder joint.
Kim
Yang-Soo
YS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kangnam St Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 505 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Jung-Man
JM
Ha
Kee-Yong
KY
Choy
Soon
S
Joo
Min-Wook
MW
Chung
Yang-Guk
YG
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019245:Compressive Strength; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery