Shoulder
Rotator Cuff
Evidence: confirmed
Empty Can Test (Jobe's) Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing the Supraspinatus tendon.
How to Perform
- Position: Arm abducted 90° in the scapular plane (scaption), internally rotated (thumb down).
- Action: Patient resists downward pressure applied by the examiner.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Pain or weakness compared to the other side.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Sensitivity: 88%
- Specificity: 62%
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Empty Can Test (Jobe's) 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 Empty Can Test (Jobe's) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
