Empty Can Test
Original Editor - Tyler Shultz
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Purpose[edit | edit source]
The Empty Can Test is used to assess for lesions of the supraspinatus muscle and supraspinatus tendon.
Performing the Test[edit | edit source]
Positive Signs[edit | edit source]
Negative Signs[edit | edit source]
Specificity & Sensitivity[edit | edit source]
Video[edit | edit source]
Evidence[edit | edit source]
Boettcher CE, et al.[2] demonstrated with normalized EMG that the Empty Can Test activates supraspinatus to levels approximately 90% MVC. Concurrent activation of other shoulder muscles tested including other rotator cuff muscles (infraspinatus and upper subscapularis), scapular positioning muscles (upper, middle and lower trapezius, and serratus anterior), and abduction torque producing muscles (anterior, middle & posterior deltoid) were activated to similarly high levels.
Therefore, the Empty Can Test must be questioned as a valid diagnostic tool for isolated supraspinatus pathology, due to the high activation of many shoulder muscles simultaneously.
Empty can test as sensitivities of 88.6% and specificities of 58.8% in diagnosing the supraspinatus tendon tear.[3]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Clinical Physio. Empty Can Test for Shoulder | Clinical Physio Premium. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC_5Lmy7iAo&ab_channel=ClinicalPhysio (accessed 17/05/2024).
- ↑ Boettcher CE, Ginn KA, Cathers I. The ‘empty can’ and ‘full can’ tests do not selectively activate supraspinatus. J Sci Med Sport (2008), doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.09.005
- ↑ Ackmann T, Schneider KN, Schorn D, Rickert C, Gosheger G, Liem D. Comparison of efficacy of supraspinatus tendon tears diagnostic tests: a prospective study on the "full-can," the "empty-can," and the "Whipple" tests [published online ahead of print, 2019 Nov 5]. Musculoskelet Surg. 2019;10.1007/s12306-019-00631-0. doi:10.1007/s12306-019-00631-0
