Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesPerforming Neer’s TestDiagnostic Test PropertiesNext Steps
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Performing Neer’s Test
Diagnostic Test Properties
Next Steps
This article will discuss what Neer’s test is for and how it’s performed. It will also discuss the next steps if the result is positive.
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What Is Neer’s Test Used For?
There are many causes of shoulder pain, including:
You may also feel shoulder pain from a pinched nerve in your neck.Given the possibilities, Neer’s test is only one of severalspecial shoulder teststhat healthcare providers use to determine the cause of such pain.
The Hawkins-Kennedy and Jobe tests are two other shoulder test options. In the Hawkins-Kennedy test, the arm is elevated to 90 degrees flexion and the elbow is bent to 90 degress flexion. Then the therapist internally rotates the shloulder to assess pain.
Performing the Neer’s Test
While a medical professional is best qualified to perform Neer’s test and interpret its results, you can do it at home to get an idea of what might be causing your shoulder pain. Then, be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider.
After your friend tests your painful shoulder, it’s a good idea to test your non-painful shoulder to get an idea of what a “normal” Neer’s test feels like.
Anatomy of the Shoulder Joint
A 2017 review of studies found the accuracy of Neer’s test for the diagnosis of SAIS to be 59%.The same year, a study showed that Neer’s test was about 69% accurate for the diagnosis of subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). Researchers proposed a modified version of Neer’s test, which raised the diagnostic accuracy to about 91%.
Another review of studies showed that Neer’s test, as well as Hawkins-Kennedy and Jobe tests, are more useful for ruling out SAIS than positively diagnosis the condition. For example, a negative Neer’s test result when you have shoulder pain doesn’t mean you definitely don’t have SAIS: Rather, it reduces the probability you have SAIS from 45% to 14%.
Next Steps When Results Are Positive
If the Neer’s test indicates a shoulder impingement, visit your healthcare provider.They may refer you to a physical therapist to help determine why the structures in your shoulder are getting pinched.
The Neer’s test merely reveals if you have shoulder impingement; it doesn’t reveal what structure in your shoulder is being pinched (e.g., your shoulder bursa, rotator cuff, biceps tendon).Further examination of your shoulder mobility and strength is needed to form a complete picture of your shoulder condition, and only a trained medical professional can do that.
Possible outcomes:
Causes of Shoulder Pain and When Is It Serious?
Summary
Neer’s test can be a helpful diagnostic tool for shoulder pain, specifically subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). While you can perform Neer’s test on your own, only a trained healthcare provider is able to fully understand the meaning of certain tests and measures for your shoulder. It is always a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider before performing any specific exercises or maneuvers.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve).StatPearls.Shoulder impingement syndrome.Gismervik SØ, Drogset JO, Granviken F, Rø M, Leivseth G.Physical examination tests of the shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test performance.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):41. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1400-0Guosheng Y, Chongxi R, Guoqing C, Junling X, Hailong J.The diagnostic value of a modified Neer test in identifying subacromial impingement syndrome.Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2017;27(8):1063-1067. doi:10.1007/s00590-017-1979-8Alqunaee M, Galvin R, Fahey T.Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for subacromial impingement syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012;93(2):229-236. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2011.08.035Harvard Medical School.Ouch! Shoulder pain and how to treat it.Hanchard NC, Lenza M, Handoll HH, Takwoingi Y.Physical tests for shoulder impingements and local lesions of bursa, tendon or labrum that may accompany impingement.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(4):CD007427. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007427.pub2Ludewig PM, Braman JP.Shoulder impingement: biomechanical considerations in rehabilitation.Man Ther. 2011;16(1):33-9. doi:10.1016/j.math.2010.08.004Escamilla RF, Hooks TR, Wilk KE.Optimal management of shoulder impingement syndrome.Open Access J Sports Med. 2014;5:13-24. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S36646Burger M, Africa C, Droomer K, et al.Effect of corticosteroid injections versus physiotherapy on pain, shoulder range of motion and shoulder function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.S Afr J Physiother. 2016;72(1):318. doi:10.4102/sajp.v72i1.318Additional ReadingPhillips N.Tests for diagnosing subacromial impingement syndrome and rotator cuff disease. Shoulder Elbow. 2014;6(3):215-21. doi:10.1177/1758573214535368
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve).StatPearls.Shoulder impingement syndrome.Gismervik SØ, Drogset JO, Granviken F, Rø M, Leivseth G.Physical examination tests of the shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test performance.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):41. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1400-0Guosheng Y, Chongxi R, Guoqing C, Junling X, Hailong J.The diagnostic value of a modified Neer test in identifying subacromial impingement syndrome.Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2017;27(8):1063-1067. doi:10.1007/s00590-017-1979-8Alqunaee M, Galvin R, Fahey T.Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for subacromial impingement syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012;93(2):229-236. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2011.08.035Harvard Medical School.Ouch! Shoulder pain and how to treat it.Hanchard NC, Lenza M, Handoll HH, Takwoingi Y.Physical tests for shoulder impingements and local lesions of bursa, tendon or labrum that may accompany impingement.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(4):CD007427. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007427.pub2Ludewig PM, Braman JP.Shoulder impingement: biomechanical considerations in rehabilitation.Man Ther. 2011;16(1):33-9. doi:10.1016/j.math.2010.08.004Escamilla RF, Hooks TR, Wilk KE.Optimal management of shoulder impingement syndrome.Open Access J Sports Med. 2014;5:13-24. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S36646Burger M, Africa C, Droomer K, et al.Effect of corticosteroid injections versus physiotherapy on pain, shoulder range of motion and shoulder function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.S Afr J Physiother. 2016;72(1):318. doi:10.4102/sajp.v72i1.318Additional ReadingPhillips N.Tests for diagnosing subacromial impingement syndrome and rotator cuff disease. Shoulder Elbow. 2014;6(3):215-21. doi:10.1177/1758573214535368
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve).StatPearls.Shoulder impingement syndrome.Gismervik SØ, Drogset JO, Granviken F, Rø M, Leivseth G.Physical examination tests of the shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test performance.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):41. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1400-0Guosheng Y, Chongxi R, Guoqing C, Junling X, Hailong J.The diagnostic value of a modified Neer test in identifying subacromial impingement syndrome.Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2017;27(8):1063-1067. doi:10.1007/s00590-017-1979-8Alqunaee M, Galvin R, Fahey T.Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for subacromial impingement syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012;93(2):229-236. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2011.08.035Harvard Medical School.Ouch! Shoulder pain and how to treat it.Hanchard NC, Lenza M, Handoll HH, Takwoingi Y.Physical tests for shoulder impingements and local lesions of bursa, tendon or labrum that may accompany impingement.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(4):CD007427. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007427.pub2Ludewig PM, Braman JP.Shoulder impingement: biomechanical considerations in rehabilitation.Man Ther. 2011;16(1):33-9. doi:10.1016/j.math.2010.08.004Escamilla RF, Hooks TR, Wilk KE.Optimal management of shoulder impingement syndrome.Open Access J Sports Med. 2014;5:13-24. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S36646Burger M, Africa C, Droomer K, et al.Effect of corticosteroid injections versus physiotherapy on pain, shoulder range of motion and shoulder function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.S Afr J Physiother. 2016;72(1):318. doi:10.4102/sajp.v72i1.318
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve).
StatPearls.Shoulder impingement syndrome.
Gismervik SØ, Drogset JO, Granviken F, Rø M, Leivseth G.Physical examination tests of the shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test performance.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):41. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1400-0
Guosheng Y, Chongxi R, Guoqing C, Junling X, Hailong J.The diagnostic value of a modified Neer test in identifying subacromial impingement syndrome.Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2017;27(8):1063-1067. doi:10.1007/s00590-017-1979-8
Alqunaee M, Galvin R, Fahey T.Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for subacromial impingement syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012;93(2):229-236. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2011.08.035
Harvard Medical School.Ouch! Shoulder pain and how to treat it.
Hanchard NC, Lenza M, Handoll HH, Takwoingi Y.Physical tests for shoulder impingements and local lesions of bursa, tendon or labrum that may accompany impingement.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(4):CD007427. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007427.pub2
Ludewig PM, Braman JP.Shoulder impingement: biomechanical considerations in rehabilitation.Man Ther. 2011;16(1):33-9. doi:10.1016/j.math.2010.08.004
Escamilla RF, Hooks TR, Wilk KE.Optimal management of shoulder impingement syndrome.Open Access J Sports Med. 2014;5:13-24. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S36646
Burger M, Africa C, Droomer K, et al.Effect of corticosteroid injections versus physiotherapy on pain, shoulder range of motion and shoulder function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.S Afr J Physiother. 2016;72(1):318. doi:10.4102/sajp.v72i1.318
Phillips N.Tests for diagnosing subacromial impingement syndrome and rotator cuff disease. Shoulder Elbow. 2014;6(3):215-21. doi:10.1177/1758573214535368
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