Exam

O'Brien Test

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O'Brien Test, O'Brien Active Compression Test

  • Indications
  1. Labral Tear evaluation
  • Technique
  • Maneuver 1 (thumb down)
  1. Arm flexed to 90 degrees with thumb DOWN (similar to Empty Cans Test position)
  2. Arm adducted across the chest
  3. Patient flexes arm at Shoulder, resisting against the examiners downward pressure
  • Technique
  • Maneuver 2 (thumb up)
  1. Arm flexed to 90 degrees with thumb UP (similar to Full Cans Test position)
  2. Arm adducted across the chest
  3. Patient flexes arm at Shoulder, resisting against the examiners downward pressure (as with maneuver 1 above)
  • Interpretation
  1. Pain with thumbs down and not (or less) with thumbs up suggests a labral tear