HawkinsKennedytest

The Hawkins-Kennedy test is a provocative orthopedic examination used to assess subacromial impingement and related rotator cuff pathology, particularly impingement of the supraspinatus tendon. It is commonly included in shoulder examinations when pain is suspected to arise from the subacromial space.

In performing the test, the patient is seated. The examiner maintains the elbow flexed at 90 degrees and abducts the arm to about 90 degrees with the shoulder in forward flexion. The examiner then stabilizes the scapula and passively internally rotates the arm. Reproduction of anterior shoulder pain during internal rotation is considered a positive test, suggesting subacromial impingement or supraspinatus tendon involvement. The test is typically painless in healthy individuals.

Interpretation of a positive result indicates a likelihood of subacromial impingement or related rotator cuff pathology, but it is not specific to a single condition. False positives can occur with other shoulder disorders, such as acromioclavicular joint pathology. Therefore, the Hawkins-Kennedy test is usually interpreted in the context of a broader clinical assessment that may include other provocative tests (such as Neer or the empty-can test) and, when indicated, imaging studies. It remains a widely used component of shoulder pain evaluation due to its simplicity and practicality.