Purpose of Test: To test for the presence of subacromial impingement.
Test Position: Sitting or standing.
Performing the Test: The patient is instructed to actively elevate the arm in the scapular plane, then slowly reverse the motion. The test is considered positive if the patient has pain between 60- 120 degrees of scaption during elevation.
Diagnostic Accuracy: Not reported.
Importance of Test: The painful arc sign is part of the cluster for subacromial impingement (see Hawkins-Kennedy Test for diagnostic accuracy).
Note: these tests should only be performed by properly trained health care practitioners.