Which maneuver is commonly used to assess shoulder impingement due to rotator cuff pathology?

• A. Neer test
• B. Drop arm test
• C. Hawkins-Kennedy test
• D. Apprehension test

Answer: (C)

The Hawkins-Kennedy maneuver targets subacromial impingement from rotator cuff pathology by compressing the supraspinatus tendon under the acromial arch during internal rotation of the arm in forward flexion. When the shoulder is flexed to about 90 degrees and the elbow is also at 90 degrees, internally rotating the arm narrows the space under the acromion and rib cage, pinching the inflamed or torn rotator cuff tendons. A patient will typically report anterior shoulder pain with this movement if impingement is present, making the test a practical and sensitive way to detect rotator cuff–related impingement. Other tests serve different purposes—some assess instability, others detect full-thickness tears—so the Hawkins-Kennedy test is especially useful for identifying impingement related to rotator cuff damage.