What does a positive Hawkins Kennedy test indicate?

What does a positive Hawkins Kennedy test indicate?

• A. Pain indicates supraspinatus tear.
• B. Pain indicates dislocation.
• C. Pain indicates compression of subacromial tissues.
• D. Pain indicates AC joint arthritis.

Answer: (C)

The Hawkins-Kennedy maneuver is used to detect subacromial impingement. As the shoulder is flexed and then internally rotated, the humeral head compresses the rotator cuff tendons and the subacromial bursa against the coracoacromial arch. If this compression reproduces pain, it indicates impingement within the subacromial space. This finding points to irritation or pathology of the subacromial tissues—often involving the supraspinatus tendon—rather than a dislocation or AC joint arthritis. A tear in the supraspinatus can accompany impingement, but the test’s main implication is subacromial tissue compression causing impingement.

The Hawkins-Kennedy maneuver is used to detect subacromial impingement. As the shoulder is flexed and then internally rotated, the humeral head compresses the rotator cuff tendons and the subacromial bursa against the coracoacromial arch. If this compression reproduces pain, it indicates impingement within the subacromial space. This finding points to irritation or pathology of the subacromial tissues—often involving the supraspinatus tendon—rather than a dislocation or AC joint arthritis. A tear in the supraspinatus can accompany impingement, but the test’s main implication is subacromial tissue compression causing impingement.