Physical Therapist Use of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff–Related Shoulder Pain: A Retrospective Chart Review of 125 Medical Records

OBJECTIVE: To describe current practice patterns in clinical use of special tests for rotator cuff–related shoulder pain (RCRSP) of physical therapists (PTs) within a large nonprofit health system. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Medical records from adult patients with shoulder pain seen in outpatient physical therapy clinics were accessed. Demographics and any shoulder special tests that were documented as performed during the initial physical therapy evaluation were extracted and summarized descriptively. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five charts were included. Ninety-eight (78%) charts documented at least 1 special test for RCRSP being performed at the initial evaluation. The number of tests performed varied from 0 to 10, with an average of 2.7 tests being performed at the initial evaluation. Hawkins-Kennedy test was the most frequently performed (81 evaluations), followed by the Drop Arm test (63 evaluations) and the Empty Can test (48 evaluations). CONCLUSION: PTs in a nonprofit health system regularly used special tests for RCRSP as part of their initial patient examination. Test selection and frequency of use varied. JOSPT Open 2025;3(4):458-461. Epub 19 June 2025. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2025.0106