Painful Arc Tests
Identify with the painful arc test if your patient has subacromial impingement syndrome. Click here for more information and a free template.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What is a Painful Arc Test?
The is one of several assessments used to identify potential subacromial impingement syndrome in patients. While it is not recommended as a standalone test for a definitive diagnosis, combining it with the Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test and Neer test can significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy. A positive result from these combined tests may indicate the necessity for further evaluation.
During a painful arc test, a patient will be asked to abduct their arms along the scapular plane until their arm is 180 degrees from where they began. If they feel pain in their arm when it’s located between 60 degrees and 180 degrees, it indicates a positive test result.
A standardized template for this test doesn’t exist like other physical exams. For your ease and benefit, we’ve created a painful arc test template for practitioners like you. You can use this document as a guide, reference, or place to record your patient’s results.
In our template, you can expect to see the following:
- Basic essential information such as the examination date, patient name, and your name as the examiner
- Directions on conducting the test
- A guide on how to know if your patient is positive
- A dedicated, provided space where you can write your patient’s results and any additional observations/findings
Think you could use a template like this in your practice? Proceed to the next section for more information on downloading and using the painful arc template.
Printable Painful Arc Test
Download this Painful Arc Test to evaluate patients.
How does it work?
Access and Download the Template
Access and download our printable painful arc test template by doing either of the following:
- Clicking the “Use this Template” or “Download Template” button above
- Searching “painful arc test” on Carepatron’s template library’s search bar on our app or website.
Conduct the Test
After your patient has filled out the section for essential information, you may follow the test instructions provided on the template.
We’ve also provided the step-by-step below so you can prepare beforehand.
Painful Arc Test Instructions
- Have the patient in a sitting or a standing position.
- Ask them to slowly abduct their arm/s with their thumbs pointing upwards, or, in simpler terms, ask them to lift their arm/s to the side slowly.
- Ask them to stop when they feel pain.
- Then, ask them to keep going until the pain stops and they reach 180 degrees on the scapular plane.
- Afterward, ask them to slowly lower their arms and stop when they feel pain again.
- Finally, ask them to lower it further until their arm/s is/are at their side.
- You may ask them to repeat the test once more.
Interpret
When you’ve finished, you may proceed with interpretation.
Here’s the test result guide you will find on your template:
Painful Arc Test Result:
(+) Positive Test if:
- The patient feels pain when their arm is between 60 and 120 degrees on the scapular plane
In addition, feel free to write down any additional notes, observations, or findings in the space provided at the bottom of the template.
Proceed with Further Examination
Since the painful arc test can’t be the sole basis for diagnosis, it's best to proceed with further examination if the patient tests positive in this assessment.
Painful Arc Tests Example (sample)
Here’s our painful arc test sample featuring a fictional patient with a possible subacromial impingement, available to download as a PDF file. Download a copy for offline use as a guide, reference, or educational resource before conducting the test by viewing the example below or clicking the “Download Example PDF” button above.
Download this Painful Arc Test Example:
When would you use this Form?
Practitioners such as physical therapists, orthopedic specialists, general physicians, and sports therapists may use the painful act test templates while conducting the painful arc test, one of the many assessments done to identify subacromial impingement syndrome in a patient.
Specifically, to know when one can have the patient undergo the painful arc test are when they exhibit the following symptoms:
- Pin when they reach something, even toward the back
- Pain when they lift their arm from something high or move their arm above their head
- Pain and tenderness when the arm’s at rest
- Pain from the front of the shoulder to the side of the arm
- Having difficulty sleeping or lying on the affected side of the body
- Weakness or stiffness in the arm
Benefits
Accessible
Unlike other physical exams or assessments, our free painful arc test template is accessible and can be accessed without signing up for an account or paying.
Saves Time and Effort
With this painful arc template, you can save time and effort that would’ve been spent searching for instructions on the test and creating notes for results from scratch. You can easily streamline the process from assessing your patient to producing results with the help of our template.
Written Copies for Reference
Since there aren’t any standardized templates for the painful arc test, having a document where you can write results and additional observations/findings would be helpful. Such a document will make it easier for you to conduct further examinations and explain your patient’s condition to fellow practitioners.
Entirely Digital
Even though our painful arc test is printable, you can download and use it digitally. Access it on any device you have on hand and store completed ones for quick access on Carepatron anytime.
Why use Carepatron as your Painful Arc Tests app?
It’s because therapists, like physical therapists and occupational therapists, benefit from using Carepatron’s features and tools to help manage their practice.
With our desktop software and mobile/desktop-friendly app, you can do more than download, fill out, and store your painful arc test template. Download Carepatron, and get access to features that can automate tasks and streamline processes, such as:
- Scheduling: Have patients request appointments independently and view all approved appointments synced on your Google/iCal calendar and our built-in calendar.
- Reminding: Set automated reminders via SMS and email to patients about their appointments and payments.
- Medical Document, Note, and Invoice Creation: Use Carepatron’s SOAP/DAR note templates, invoice templates, and over 1000 templates of essential tests, surveys, and assessments to customize, download, and print, saving time and effort.
- Medical Document and Note Storage: Automatically store uploaded, customized, and filled-out documents on Carepatron’s HIPAA-compliant, secure storage
- Payment: Provide easy payment options and process payments in minutes with a few clicks.
Don’t miss out on the chance to improve the caliber of your practice with Carepatron. Sign up for a free account today!
References
Çalış M, Akgün K, Birtane M, et al. Diagnostic values of clinical diagnostic tests in subacromial impingement syndromeAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2000;59:44-47.
Michener, L. A., Walsworth, M. K., Doukas, W. C., & Murphy, K. P. (2009). Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of 5 physical examination tests and combination of tests for subacromial impingement. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 90(11), 1898–1903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2009.05.015
Commonly asked questions
Practitioners who diagnose or treat shoulder injuries or conditions, such as physical therapists, orthopedic therapists, sports therapists, and general physicians, can use the painful arc test template.
They are used while the practitioner conducts the painful arc test and if the patient needs to reproduce the symptoms of a subacromial impingement syndrome.
They can be used as a template, guide, or document to take down notes.
