Crank Tests

How does this Crank Test template work?

Step 1: Access the template

You can access and download our template by either:

• Clicking the “Use this template” or “Download Template” button above
• Searching for “Crank Test” on Carepatron's template library on our website or app

Step 2: Conduct the test

Before you begin, however, don't forget to fill out the basic information, such as the patient's name, your name, and the exam date. Afterward, proceed to follow the test instructions.

Although we've provided directions on conducting the test on our template, for good measure, we also added it below.

1. Have your patient either sitting or in a supine position.
2. Elevate the patient's affected arm. Note that the shoulder must be 160 degrees in the scapular plane of the body, loaded axially along the humerus.
3. Flex the elbow 90 degrees.
4. Gently apply pressure from the humerus down to the shoulder.
5. Keep doing step 4 while doing an internal and external rotation of the shoulder.

Step 3: Interpret and proceed

Finished with the test? Then it's time to interpret and record the patient's results and write down your findings. Here's the test result guide you will also find on our template:

(+) Positive Crank Test if:

• The patient expresses pain
• There is clicking or catching

If there's a positive test, it's best to refer them to a specialist for the next steps or, if you are the specialist, have them undergo further testing before diagnosing.

Scoring

Similar to other physical tests whose results aren't quantitative in nature, to score the Crank Test, you simply have to tick the negative or positive checkbox based on the corresponding interpretation. 

When to conduct the Crank shoulder test?

Practitioners can conduct the Crank Test (shoulder) alongside orthopedic examinations on their patients to determine if they have a glenoid labral tear. Practitioners may base their decision to test on the symptoms the patient is exhibiting or the activities they participated in.

If you're not familiar with either, we provided a list of both.

Symptoms

Conduct the test if your patient is experiencing symptoms of a tear, such as:

• Occasional shoulder pain while doing daily activities
• Limited range of motion
• Pain with doing overhead movements
• Stiffness, instability, weakness, or dislocations of the shoulder
• A grinding, popping, locking, or catching sensation during movement

Causes

You may also examine your patient using this test if they:

• Do repetitive shoulder motions for a sport or work, such as athletes and weightlifters
• Fell on an outstretched arm
• Receive a direct hit to the shoulder
• Suddenly try to pull and lift a heavy object or stop themselves from falling or sliding by quickly reaching overhead

Do note that this test alone isn't sufficient to diagnose a glenoid labral tear, more specifically, a SLAP lesion or SLAP labral lesion. You will have to do other shoulder and neck physical examination tests  and imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before coming to a conclusion.

Who is this Crank Test PDF for?

Medical practitioners who specialize in assessing shoulder and neck pain can utilize this test and template. However, to be more specific, practitioners who will benefit from having a PDF copy of our Crank Test template are the following:

• General physicians
• Sports medicine doctors
• Physical therapists
• Orthopedic doctors

Benefits of using a free Crank Test template

There are several reasons to use a free Crank Test template:

Easy to understand

Since this test only has a few instructions delivered in a straightforward manner, any practitioner will find it easy to not only follow the provided step-by-step but also figure out the different sections of the template without a need for further explanation.

Quick to administer

The Crank Test is short and requires you to manipulate the patient's arm a few times. And with our template, aside from quickly administering the test, you can also record the results immediately afterward.

Written copies for reference

As mentioned above, this test generally doesn't come with a template. That is why we've provided you with one to minimize the risks of not having one. A notable benefit you must keep in mind is that you will always have a written copy of the results you can, or fellow practitioners can use as a reference if you decide to utilize our template.

Encourages patient-doctor communication

If your patient tests positive, this can be a jump-off point you can use to ask the patient what may be the cause, especially if they haven't shared it yet.

Fully digital

With our digital template, you can edit the document on any local PDF editor on your gadgets or on Carepatron. Even better, when you decide to edit and store it on Carepatron, you can easily allow fellow practitioners to look at your notes by giving them limited viewing access.