Yergason’s Test for SLAP Lesions & Biceps Pathology

The Yergason’s test was primarily designed to test the transverse humeral ligament, which holds a long biceps tendon in the bicipital groove. According to the RCT by Micheroli et al. (2015) it has a sensitivity of 32% and a specificity of 88% for biceps pathology. Furthermore, Oh et al. (2008) found a sensitivity of 12% and a specificity of 87% for the diagnosis of SLAP lesions.

To perform the test have your patient’s forearm flexed to 90°, in pronation and stabilized against the body. Then ask the patient to perform supination and resist the movement. At the same time, make sure you palpate the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove with your other hand.

If you feel the biceps tendon “popping out” of the groove, this indicates a tear of the transverse humeral ligament. Tenderness or pain without the pop, is indicative for bicipital tendinosis and SLAP lesions.

Other common tests for SLAP lesions are the Biceps Load II Test and the Active Compression Test of O’Brien.

21 OF THE MOST USEFUL ORTHOPAEDIC TESTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

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References

Micheroli R, Kyburz D, Ciurea A, Dubs B, Toniolo M, Bisig SP, Tamborrini G. Correlation of findings in clinical and high resolution ultrasonography examinations of the painful shoulder. Journal of ultrasonography. 2015 Mar;15(60):29.

Oh JH, Kim JY, Kim WS, Gong HS, Lee JH. The evaluation of various physical examinations for the diagnosis of type II superior labrum anterior and posterior lesion. The American journal of sports medicine. 2008 Feb;36(2):353-9.