A positive cross body adduction test localizes pain to which joint?

• A. AC joint
• B. Glenohumeral joint
• C. Bicipital groove
• D. Elbow joint

Answer: (A)

This test is used to assess pathology of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint by loading the AC joint as the arm is brought across the chest. When the arm crosses midline, the humerus presses against the acromion, compressing the AC joint. If there is inflammation, sprain, or arthritis of the AC joint, this maneuver typically reproduces pain at the top of the shoulder where the AC joint is located, localizing the source to that joint. The glenohumeral joint is not specifically stressed by this movement, so pain from that joint is less likely to be produced here; pain from the bicipital groove or elbow would point to different structures and are not the expected outcome of this cross-body adduction maneuver.