Biceps Squeeze Test
Purpose: To determine the presence of a biceps brachii tendon rupture.
Test Position: Sitting.
Performing the Test: The patient is seated with forearm resting in their lap. The elbow is flexed approximately 60-80 degrees with the forearm slightly pronated. The clinician stands on the side of the extremity being tested and squeezes the biceps brachii firmly with both hands, one hand at myotendinous junction, and the other around the muscle belly. As the biceps is squeezed, the muscle belly is drawn away from the humerus, causing an anterior bow of the muscle. A positive test is lack of forearm supination indicating biceps brachii rupture.
Diagnostic Accuracy: Sensitivity: .96; Specificity: 1.0; -LR: .04, +LR: High.
Importance of Test: The biceps brachii inserts into the radial tuberosity and aponeurosis of the biceps brachii (Neumann) 2010. By flexing the elbow 60-80 degrees and slightly pronating the forearm, the biceps is put in a position where the moment arm of the biceps tendon is prime for supination. If a distal biceps rupture is present then there will be an absence of supination upon squeezing the biceps. Squeezing the biceps simulates contraction.
Note: these tests should only be used by properly trained health care practitioners
Test Position: Sitting.
Performing the Test: The patient is seated with forearm resting in their lap. The elbow is flexed approximately 60-80 degrees with the forearm slightly pronated. The clinician stands on the side of the extremity being tested and squeezes the biceps brachii firmly with both hands, one hand at myotendinous junction, and the other around the muscle belly. As the biceps is squeezed, the muscle belly is drawn away from the humerus, causing an anterior bow of the muscle. A positive test is lack of forearm supination indicating biceps brachii rupture.
Diagnostic Accuracy: Sensitivity: .96; Specificity: 1.0; -LR: .04, +LR: High.
Importance of Test: The biceps brachii inserts into the radial tuberosity and aponeurosis of the biceps brachii (Neumann) 2010. By flexing the elbow 60-80 degrees and slightly pronating the forearm, the biceps is put in a position where the moment arm of the biceps tendon is prime for supination. If a distal biceps rupture is present then there will be an absence of supination upon squeezing the biceps. Squeezing the biceps simulates contraction.
Note: these tests should only be used by properly trained health care practitioners
References:
The Biceps Squeeze Test for diagnosis of distal biceps tendon ruptures
Neumann, Donald. "Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation." 2nd edition. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier, 2010. 198. Print.
"Users Guide to the Musculoskeletal Examination" by Timothy Flynn
The Biceps Squeeze Test for diagnosis of distal biceps tendon ruptures
Neumann, Donald. "Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation." 2nd edition. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier, 2010. 198. Print.
"Users Guide to the Musculoskeletal Examination" by Timothy Flynn