Shoulder
Impingement
Evidence: confirmed
Coracoid Impingement Sign Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing Subcoracoid Impingement (Lesser Tuberosity hitting the Coracoid).
How to Perform
- Position: Arm flexed to 90°.
- Action: Examiner adducts the arm 10-20° across the body and internally rotates it.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Anterior shoulder pain near the coracoid process.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Coracoid Impingement Sign should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Shoulder region, combining the Coracoid Impingement Sign with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
