[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Clinical exam](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/) › [Musculoskeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/#a-musculoskeletal) › Shoulder tests: Neer, Hawkins, Jobe and drop arm [Clinical exam](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/) · [Musculoskeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/#a-musculoskeletal) # Shoulder tests: Neer, Hawkins, Jobe and drop arm - Maneuver Four maneuvers that show whether shoulder pain comes from a tendon pinched under the acromion or from a torn rotator cuff. Updated 2026-11-01 **See it in 3D:** [Supraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/supraspinatus/) · [Supraspinatus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/supraspinatus-tendon/) · [Infraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/infraspinatus/) · [Subacromial bursa](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/subacromial-subdeltoid-bursa/) · [Coracoacromial ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/coracoacromial-ligament/) · [Humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/humerus/) · [Scapula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scapula/) ## Key points - Neer: passive elevation of the internally rotated arm with the scapula fixed; pain = subacromial impingement. - Hawkins-Kennedy: shoulder and elbow at 90 degrees and forced internal rotation; pain = impingement. - Jobe (empty can): weakness against resistance with thumbs down = supraspinatus lesion. - Positive drop arm = large, full-thickness rotator cuff tear. - The supraspinatus runs under the acromion and the coracoacromial ligament; it is the cuff tendon most often injured. ## What it is The Neer and Hawkins-Kennedy tests look for subacromial impingement, in which the supraspinatus tendon and the subacromial bursa rub against the coracoacromial arch. The Jobe (empty can) test measures supraspinatus strength and the drop arm test detects large rotator cuff tears. Together they sort out shoulder pain, one of the most common complaints in clinic. ## The anatomy it tests - The supraspinatus arises in the supraspinous fossa of the scapula and runs under the acromion and the coracoacromial ligament to the greater tubercle of the humerus. - Neer and Hawkins bring the greater tubercle toward the coracoacromial arch and pinch the supraspinatus tendon and the subacromial bursa. - The supraspinatus starts abduction and centres the humeral head; the empty can position isolates it against resistance. - Infraspinatus and teres minor rotate the arm outward and are tested with resisted external rotation. ## How to do it - Patient seated or standing with both shoulders exposed; examine the healthy side first. - Neer: the examiner fixes the scapula with one hand and with the other passively raises the straight, internally rotated arm (thumb down) into full flexion. - Hawkins-Kennedy: the examiner brings the shoulder to 90 degrees of forward flexion, elbow at 90 degrees, and rotates the arm inward, lowering the forearm. - Positive Neer or Hawkins: pain at the front or side of the shoulder during the maneuver. - Jobe: arms at 90 degrees of abduction, about 30 degrees forward, thumbs down; the patient resists while the examiner pushes the forearms down. - Positive Jobe: weakness, with or without pain, compared with the healthy side. - Drop arm: the examiner raises the arm in abduction above shoulder height and asks the patient to lower it slowly. - Positive drop arm: the arm drops suddenly near 90 degrees or the patient cannot control the descent. ## What a positive result means - Positive Neer and Hawkins: subacromial impingement syndrome, with supraspinatus tendinopathy or subacromial bursitis. - Jobe with weakness: supraspinatus lesion (tendinopathy or tear); pain without weakness points more to tendinopathy. - Positive drop arm: large rotator cuff tear. - If passive motion is limited in every plane, especially external rotation, think of adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). - A negative Neer or Hawkins makes impingement less likely but does not exclude a small tear. ## Usefulness and limits - Impingement tests are sensitive but not specific; weakness tests (Jobe, drop arm) are more specific than sensitive. - Combining several tests works better than any single test. - Ultrasound or MRI confirms a tear and its size. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What does the Jobe test assess and when is it positive? It assesses the supraspinatus; it is positive if there is weakness, with or without pain, when resisting downward pressure with the arms at 90 degrees of abduction and thumbs down. ## Which structures are pinched during the Neer and Hawkins maneuvers? The supraspinatus tendon and the subacromial bursa, against the acromion and the coracoacromial ligament. ## What does a positive drop arm sign suggest? A large, full-thickness rotator cuff tear. ## Which finding points to adhesive capsulitis rather than a cuff lesion? Loss of passive motion in every plane, especially external rotation. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/clinical-exam/shoulder-tests-neer-hawkins-jobe-and-drop-arm/) ## See it in 3D The structures of Durgical's 3D anatomy where it is found. - [Supraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/supraspinatus/) - [Supraspinatus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/supraspinatus-tendon/) - [Infraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/infraspinatus/) - [Subacromial bursa](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/subacromial-subdeltoid-bursa/) - [Coracoacromial ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/coracoacromial-ligament/) - [Humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/humerus/) - [Scapula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scapula/) ## Related - [Joint examination: inspection, palpation and range of motion](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/joint-examination-inspection-palpation-and-range-of-motion/) - [Motor examination: bulk, tone and strength grading](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/motor-examination-bulk-tone-and-strength-grading/) ## Related conditions - [Rotator cuff tear](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rotator-cuff-tear/) - [Subacromial impingement syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/subacromial-impingement-syndrome/) - [Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/frozen-shoulder/) [← All of the clinical exam](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/) Educational content on the clinical exam; it is learned and practised under supervision. It does not replace assessment by a health professional and is not for self-diagnosis. Sources: [Chronic Shoulder Pain: Part I. Evaluation and Diagnosis](https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2008/0215/p453.html) (American Family Physician (American Academy of Family Physicians), 2008); [Musculo-Skeletal Examination – Shoulder Exam – Practical Guide to Clinical Medicine](https://sites.ucsd.edu/clinicalmedguide/musculo-skeletal-examination-shoulder-exam/) (UC San Diego School of Medicine, 2026). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/shoulder-tests-neer-hawkins-jobe-and-drop-arm/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/shoulder-tests-neer-hawkins-jobe-and-drop-arm/