Cyriax Release Test

The best test to assess thoracic outlet syndrome varies by individual case, but common tests include the Cyriax Release Test, Wright’s Test, and the Elevated Arm Stress Test (Roos Test).

The sensitivity of the Cyriax Release Test has not been definitively established, but it has a specificity of 97.4% when held for 1 minute and 87.8% at 3 minutes.

The Cyriax rule refers to the diagnostic principle that if pain is relieved by a particular motion or position, it likely indicates a mechanical cause, guiding the therapeutic approach.