Adsons Test

Purpose
[edit | edit source]

Adson's test is a provocative test for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome accompanied by compression of the Subclavian artery by a cervical rib or tightened anterior and middle scalene muscles.[1]

Technique[2]
[edit | edit source]

  1. Patient in upright position.
  2. Passively extend, abduct and externally rotate affected arm while palpating the radial pulse.
  3. Ask patient to take a deep breath and hold it in.
  4. Ask patient to extend neck and rotate the head towards affected side.


The test is positive if there is a marked decrease, or disappearance, of the radial pulse. It is important to check the patient's radial pulse on the other arm to recognize the patient's normal pulse.

EmbedVideo received the bad id "-7346RaEGKU&t=5s" for the service "youtube".

[3]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

There is minimal evidence of its interexaminer reliability according to existing literature. It has been noted to have a specificity ranging from 18% to 87%, and sensitivity of up to 94%. There is little documentation regarding the reliability of the adson's test. [4][5][6]



Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]


Failed to load RSS feed from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/erss.cgi?rss_guid=1n7mwSuZ06KxdrgYvnohuutTaOUGpV-40lmCujSeyHm3qMvYlL|charset=UTF­8|short|max=10: Error parsing XML for RSS



References
[edit | edit source]

  1. Brotzman SB, Manske RC. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: An Evidence-based Approach. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2011
  2. Borenstein DG, Wiesel SW, Boden SD. Low Back and Neck Pain: Comprehensive Diagnosis and Management. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2004.
  3. Physiotutors. Adson Test | Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). Available from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7346RaEGKU&t=5s
  4. Waldman SD. Pain Management: Expert Consult. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, Jun 9, 2011
  5. Malanga GA, Landes P, Nadler SF (April 2003). "Provocative tests in cervical spine examination: historical basis and scientific analyses". Pain physician 6 (2): 199–205.
  6. Malanga GA, Nadler S. Musculoskeletal Physical Examination: An Evidence-based Approach. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2006