Painful arc

• The painful arc tests the supraspinatus muscle - responsible for the first 15 degrees of abduction
• How to perform:

  • Passively abduct patients arm to maximum point
  • Ask patient to lower the arm slowly back to a neutral position
• Interpretation:

  • Pain between 60-120 degrees suggests supraspinatus tendon impingement (subacromial impingement syndrome)
  • Pain at extremes of shoulder abduction (>170 degrees) suggests acromioclavicular joint pathology e.g. arthritis
  • Not a very specific test - don't use in isolation