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Title: Anterior shoulder pain

Category: Orthopedics

Keywords: Shoulder, biceps, tendon (PubMed Search)

Posted: 11/28/2020 by Brian Corwell, MD (Updated: 7/21/2026)

A 25 year old athlete presents to the ED with right anterior shoulder pain.

Pain radiates into proximal biceps.

It is worse with heavy lifting and especially “pulling” exercises at the gym.

 

How do we evaluate for biceps tendonitis?

  1. Tenderness to palpation in the bicipital groove
  2. Speed’s test
  3. Yergason’s test

 

Pathology is often the long head of the biceps

https://physioworks.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/biceps-tendonitis.jpg

Start by palpating this area and attempt to reproduce the discomfort

Speed’s test

  • Arm is supinated and extended and elevated against examiner’s  downward resistance
  • https://youtu.be/N00gA4Pvsbw

 

Yergason’s test

  • Arm is placed to patient’s side, in pronation and flexed to 90 degrees at elbow
  • Patient attempts to supinate and externally rotate arm against resistance
  • https://youtu.be/rQ2Mp6aSi88

 

 


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