AC Shear Test | Acromioclavicular Joint Pathology Assessment

The acromioclavicular shear test is a provocative test to aims to identify isolated ac joint pathology. As the test has not been subject to diagnostic accuracy studies not much can be said about its validity which is why the clinical value of this test remains questionable.

To conduct the test, the patient is in the sitting position.
Then examiner cups the hands over the shoulder with one hand on the clavicle and one hand on the scapular spine.
Then squeeze the heels of the hands together.

A positive test will result in abnormal movement at the acromioclavicular joint.

Other common orthopedic tests to assess for AC Joint Pathology are:

• Cross Body Adduction Test
• Active Compression Test of O’Brien
• AC Joint Line Tenderness
• Paxino’s Sign
• AC Resisted Extension Test
• AC Joint Pain Cluster of Signs & Symptoms
• AC Joint Provocation Cluster by Krill
• AC Joint Provocation Cluster by Chronopoulos

Davies GJ, Gould JA, Larson RL. Functional examination of the shoulder girdle. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. 1981 Jun 1;9(6):82-104.