What describes the full can test protocol?

What describes the full can test protocol?

• A. Arms are elevated to 60 degrees in frontal plane with palms down; downward resistance is applied.
• B. Arms are elevated in scapular plane with thumbs up while downward resistance is applied.
• C. Arms are raised overhead with elbows flexed and resist external rotation.
• D. Arms are extended behind the body with elbow locking and internal rotation.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to check the supraspinatus tendon by placing the arm in the scapular plane with the thumbs pointing up and applying downward resistance. This “full can” position isolates the supraspinatus more effectively than other orientations, because the scapular-plane (scaption) position reduces impingement and aligns the tendon under the acromion. If weakness or pain is reproduced with downward pressure, it suggests a supraspinatus tendinopathy or tear. The other described motions involve different planes or rotations that test other structures or produce different impingement patterns, so they don’t assess the supraspinatus in the same way.

The main idea is to check the supraspinatus tendon by placing the arm in the scapular plane with the thumbs pointing up and applying downward resistance. This “full can” position isolates the supraspinatus more effectively than other orientations, because the scapular-plane (scaption) position reduces impingement and aligns the tendon under the acromion. If weakness or pain is reproduced with downward pressure, it suggests a supraspinatus tendinopathy or tear. The other described motions involve different planes or rotations that test other structures or produce different impingement patterns, so they don’t assess the supraspinatus in the same way.