AC Resisted Extension Test | Acromioclavicular Joint Pathology

The AC Resisted Extension Test is a common orthopedic test to assess for Acromioclavicular Joint Pathology.

According to a study done by Christopoulos et al, the AC resisted extension test has a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 85%. . It is designed to provoke a symptomatic AC joint. The authors do not recommend using this test as a stand-alone diagnostic tool, but it can be valuable if done in a cluster. Make sure to watch that video next by a click in the top right corner.

With the patient in sitting position elevate the arm to 90° of flexion. Now the patient is asked to resist horizontal adduction by pushing against the examiner’s hand. Again, a positive test will reproduce pain on top of the shoulder near the AC joint.

21 OF THE MOST USEFUL ORTHOPAEDIC TESTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

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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 Shear Test
• AC Joint Pain Cluster of Signs & Symptoms
• AC Joint Provocation Cluster by Krill
• AC Joint Provocation Cluster by Chronopoulos

Chronopoulos E, Kim TK, Park HB, Ashenbrenner D, McFarland EG. Diagnostic value of physical tests for isolated chronic acromioclavicular lesions. The American journal of sports medicine. 2004 Apr;32(3):655-61.