Shoulder Depression Test

What is the "Shoulder Depression Test" used for?

• Evaluate for brachial plexus lesions, plexopathies and radiculopathies.

How to perform the "Shoulder Depression Test"?

• The examiner side flexes the patient’s head to one side (e.g., the left) while applying a downward pressure on the opposite shoulder (e.g., the right)

What is the positive result?

• If the pain is increased, it indicates irritation or compression of the nerve roots or foraminal encroachments, such as osteophytes in the area on the side being compressed, or adhesions around the dural sleeves of the nerve and adjacent joint capsule or a hypomobile joint capsule on the side being stretched. Differentiation is by the dermatome (and possibly myotome) distribution of symptoms.