Neer impingement test

[1] When performing the Neer impingement test, the elbow should be extended, humerus in internal rotation and the forearm pronated.

When the examiner is passively flexing the arm forward, it is causing compression of the structures between the greater tuberosity, inferior acromion process and the acromioclavicular joint.

[1] A positive test is indicated by pain in the anterior or lateral shoulder when in full flexion.

It is indicative of problems involving the supraspinatus and the long head of the biceps brachii tendons.

The examiner needs to be aware of a false positive test which is due to the patient having limited forward flexion.

Illustration of a person in two scenes: 1) their arm is outstretched in front of the body and then twisted counter-clockwise, 2) the arm is raised vertically above their head by another person
Neer test for subacromial impingement