Costoclavicular Syndrome Test (Military Brace) Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing TOS (Costoclavicular space compression).
How to Perform
- Position: Patient stands in an exaggerated military posture (shoulders drawn back and down).
- Action: Examiner palpates the radial pulse. Patient extends the neck.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Absence of radial pulse.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Sensitivity: 60%
- Specificity: 70%
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Costoclavicular Syndrome Test (Military Brace) 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 Costoclavicular Syndrome Test (Military Brace) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
