What would be indicative of a positive Hawkins-Kennedy test?

• A. Increased pain with arm elevation
• B. Pain during passive internal rotation
• C. Decrease in strength with external rotation
• D. Decrease in shoulder mobility

Answer: (B)

The Hawkins-Kennedy test is a clinical examination used to assess for shoulder impingement, particularly of the rotator cuff tendons, and it specifically highlights subacromial impingement. A positive Hawkins-Kennedy test occurs when there is pain elicited during the maneuver that involves passive internal rotation of the shoulder, typically with the arm positioned at 90 degrees of flexion.

When a patient experiences pain during this test, it indicates that the greater tuberosity and rotator cuff structures are likely being compressed against the acromion, leading to impingement. This mechanism directly correlates with the purpose of the test, identifying potential rotator cuff pathology or subacromial pain syndrome.

Other options may relate to symptoms experienced in shoulder conditions but do not specifically align with the Hawkins-Kennedy test's purpose. For instance, increased pain during arm elevation might suggest an overall shoulder issue, but it is not specific to impingement. Similarly, a decrease in strength with external rotation or a decrease in shoulder mobility could indicate multiple other shoulder conditions, but they do not directly correlate with the Hawkins-Kennedy test's findings. Hence, the presence of pain during passive internal rotation most accurately reflects a positive result in this context