Shoulder
Labral Injuries
Evidence: confirmed
Kim Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing Posteroinferior Labral Lesions.
How to Perform
- Position: Seated, arm abducted 90°.
- Action: Apply axial load while elevating the arm diagonally upward (45°) and applying a posterior-inferior force.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Sudden onset of posterior shoulder pain.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Sensitivity: 80%
- Specificity: 94%
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Kim Test 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 Kim Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
