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Roos Test | Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Assessment | TOS Diagnosis

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Roos Test | Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Assessment | TOS Diagnosis

Thoracic outlet syndrome is defined as a neurovascular symptom complex associated with compression of the brachial bundle which includes the brachial plexus and/or subclavian vessels. This compression may be caused by several anatomical structures in one or more of the following three compartments: the inter scalene triangle, the costoclavicular space, or retropectoralis minor space.

The Roos test is believed to stress all of the three intervals since this position places the arterial, venous, and nervous systems in tension. According to Gillard et al. (2001), the Roos test had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 30%. Regarding the rather low accuracy values and due to the fact that the study did not make use of MRI as the gold standard, the clinical value of this test is rather weak.

To perform the test the patient sits with the head in the neutral position, the arms abducted and externally rotated to 90 degrees, and the elbows flexed to 90 degrees. The patient is then requested to flex and extend the fingers for up to three minutes. The examiner watches for any dropping of the extremity during this time which could indicate fatigue or arterial compromise. The therapist should also observe the color of the distal extremity comparing left with right and monitor symptom onset.

This test is positive when the patient is unable to maintain elevation for a 3 minute period or when symptoms are induced.

Other common tests to assess for TOS are:

21 OF THE MOST USEFUL ORTHOPAEDIC TESTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

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