Shoulder
Rotator Cuff
Evidence: confirmed
Lift-Off Test (Gerber's) Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing Subscapularis tears.
How to Perform
- Position: Hand placed behind the back (lumbar spine).
- Action: Patient attempts to lift the hand off the back against resistance.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Inability to lift the hand or weakness.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Sensitivity: 17-62%
- Specificity: 100%
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Lift-Off Test (Gerber'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 Lift-Off Test (Gerber's) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
