Drop Arm Test – Drop Sign

What is the “Drop Arm Test or Drop Sign” used for?

• Integrity of the supraspinatus muscle.

How to perform the “Drop Arm Test”?

• The patient is seated with his or her back to the examiner.
• The affected arm is held at 90 degrees of elevation in the scapular plane and at almost full external rotation with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees.
• The patient is asked to maintain this position actively as the examiner releases the wrist while supporting the elbow, which is mainly a function of the infraspinatus

What is the positive result?

• The sign is positive if a lag or “drop” occurs.

Test Accuracy

• Sensitivity: 73 %
• Specificity: 98 %

References

• Campbel’s Operative Orthopaedics Book
• http://unmfm.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/112906198/shou
• Drop Sign | Orthofixar