Olecranon-Manubrium Percussion Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Screening for Shoulder Dislocation or Bony Injury.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient seated with arms crossed.
- Action: Examiner places a stethoscope on the manubrium (sternum) and taps the olecranon (elbow).
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Dull or diminished sound on the injured side compared to the uninjured side (loss of bone conduction).
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Sensitivity: High for dislocation/fracture screening.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Olecranon-Manubrium Percussion Test 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 Olecranon-Manubrium Percussion Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
