Pectoralis Major Contracture Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing tightness of the Pectoralis Major.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient supine, hands clasped behind head.
- Action: Patient attempts to relax elbows down to the table.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Elbows do not reach the table surface.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Pectoralis Major Contracture 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 Pectoralis Major Contracture Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
