Arm Bar Test

What is the "Arm Bar Test" used for?

• Posterior impingement of the elbow joint
• Also known as the Posteromedial Impingement Test

How to perform the "Arm Bar Test"?

• The patient, while standing, rests the hand of the test arm on the examiner’s shoulder with the elbow extended and shoulder medially rotated (thumb pointing downwards). 
• The examiner pulls down on the olecranon or distal humerus to simulate forced extension

What is the positive result?

• Reproduction of pain, especially posteromedially along the olecranon, is a positive test for posterior impingement.
• The patient may also lack full extension.