Shoulder
Thoracic Outlet
Evidence: confirmed
Allen Test (Shoulder) Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing TOS (Pectoralis Minor compression).
How to Perform
- Position: Patient seated. Arm abducted 90°, elbow flexed 90° (like Roos test).
- Action: Patient rotates head away from the tested side. Examiner palpates the radial pulse.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Diminished or absent radial pulse.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Allen Test (Shoulder) should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Shoulder region, combining the Allen Test (Shoulder) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
