Top 5 Signs of a Rotator Cuff Tear

In this video I share 5 easy Physical Therapy tests to identify whether your rotator cuff is compromised or torn. For the 10 exercises I recommend for non-surgical rotator cuff rehab, check out this video: • 10 Rotator Cuff Exerci...
0:00 Intro
0:44 Empty Can Test
1:24 Drop Arm Test
1:55 Lag Sign
2:24 Infraspinatus Test
2:50 Lift Off Test
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Empty Can Test
This test targets one of the rotator cuff muscles that most commonly tears at the tendon: the supraspinatus.
To perform the empty can test, fully extend your bad arm and raise it to shoulder height, slightly outward from your body.
Turn your hand downward, as if you are emptying a can or glass. Your palm should be open and your thumb pointing to the floor.
Next, using your other arm, press down on your raised arm at the elbow. Try to resist the motion. If someone is nearby, you could ask them to press down on your arm for you.
As you try to resist the pressure, pay attention to any pain or weakness you perceive in your arm, especially compared to your other arm. Pain or weakness may indicate a torn or compromised supraspinatus tendon.
Drop Arm Test
A rotator cuff tear will make it difficult for you to control your arm as it lowers, especially if any one of the 4 stabilizers of the rotator cuff are compromised.
To perform the drop arm test, simply raise your arm overhead in an arc, with as much range as possible. Now reverse the arc and lower your arm slowly, without assistance. If you cannot control the motion or if your arm drops suddenly, your rotator cuff might be compromised by a severe strain or tear at the supraspinatus tendon.
Lag Sign Test
While standing or sitting upright, bend your bad arm at the elbow to 90 degrees.
Using assistance from a friend or your opposite arm, rotate your arm away from your body slightly, as if you’re going to throw a ball. Now remove any assistance and try to maintain this position. If your arm drops or moves, you have a positive lag sign and your supraspinatus, infraspinatus, or teres minor tendon may be compromised or torn.
4. Infraspinatus Test
Your rotator cuff comprises 3 external rotators, one of which is the infraspinatus. To isolate this muscle, make a loose fist and bend your bad arm at the elbow, so that your forearm is at 90º and the top of your knuckles faces forward. Keeping the elbow tight to your waist, apply pressure inward on your bad arm and try to resist it. If you feel pain or weakness or are unable to hold the position, there’s a good chance you have a compromised or torn infraspinatus.
5. Lift-Off Test
This test can help identify a tear or compromise in the subscapularis tendon, which moves the shoulder into internal rotation. To perform the test, place the back of your hand against the center of your low back. Now try lifting your hand off your back. If you’re unable to do so without pain or weakness (or at all), this could indicate a subscapularis compromise or tear.
The content found on this channel and any affiliated websites are not considered medical or financial advice. The information presented is for general education and entertainment purposes only. If you need medical attention, seek care from your physician or physical therapist. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless PTProgress, its employees, officers, and independent contractors for any and all injuries, losses, or damages resulting from any claims that arise from misuse of the content presented on this channel or associated websites. Some of the links above may be affiliate links, which help support the channel but does not cost you anything.
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[@Lilly-qt4yy]

This video was incredibly succinct well shot and scripted when most other PT videos are extremely long winded unscripted and shot poorly with terrible audio. This is extremely good content and I hope you are proud of it.

[@PTProgress]

Thank you so much!

[@mangos2888]

This is my 5th video on this subject and I'm early in. Hope you're right. 😊

[@petevodulia590]

Agree!! Straight and to the point. Not like the 2 clowns 🤡 that claim to be the best on the internet. Brad and whatever the other clown’s name is 😂🤣

[@nassermj7671]

You're like me. Quick short & sweet. Great vid!

[@larryevans2806]

Excellent! Quick and to the point without a lot of chatter.

[@johnfromcork]

Thanks for your clear instructions they are very helpful.

[@deirdreemmanuel3883]

This was a terrific video and very helpful..onto the next .Thank you for that!

[@Johnarchiebald]

Thanks for making such a direct video

[@mikejames7684]

Very helpful and to the point. Thank you.

[@nochoh853]

I’m gonna show this to my doctor so they can understand what I’m feeling, thanks for the video man!

[@kingmaruki9449]

yup, i have the sub scapa lapa tapa tear. Thank you for helping me identify this

[@susanb6289]

The thought of doing these motions makes me pass out. No question my shoulder is mess. Seeing Dr today

[@imveryhungry112]

Did you ever get a good shoulder diagnosis? Did they treat it?did pain get better?

[@suziepeck5717]

What was your diagnosis?

[@MikeSuperJohnson]

Awesome video and explanation! Thank you!

[@tirupathikankipati4573]

Thankyou for your advice.i am suffering with shoulder pain and neck pain

[@judyrobbins1249]

Great information, Thank you for this video.

[@jordynpayne8488]

A bit reassured now actually. Thanks

[@Chiver85]

This video and information provide is amazing, thank you!!

[@Bubba_Fett_]

Oh man this helps a LOT; after a medical procedure (cardio version with arms locked down) - cannot move arm behind my back. This vid helps a ton to ID the potential issue. PT has helped a lot with the pain, and we are making progress with mobility. Thx for the vid! 👍🏻

[@Moneymakingmitch70]

Very useful thanks for the tips ! 👌🏽

[@ChernorizecHrabyr]

Thank you for the video!

[@scottslater7704]

Yep, I've definitely damaged mine. Thx for the info

[@yousefrawashdeh_fs3394]

Mannn your putting our whole studying out there Gotta respect the feel for others

[@mangos2888]

When I called to make an appointment, the facility wanted to know if I needed to meet with a surgeon or a therapist before moving forward. I don't know if I need that! I have no idea what I did to my shoulder. It was frustrating.

[@shelby_87]

Love you bro thanks. I was doing pull ups then I shifted it to my right hand then certainly a Pop sound came and then I felt pain but now I realised that's nothing thank you very much

[@dominicbenecasa7893]

Him Tim it's uncle Mick, love seeing you on KZbin. I have had 3 Arthoscopic surgeries on my rotator cuff and now I'm old and decrepit. 😂😂😂 Love you guys!

[@heidyhernandez7726]

The lift off test got me good. The pain is not unbearable but it’s uncomfortable enough that it won’t slow me to scratch my back without being very uncomfortable 😒

[@IlovetheUSA1776]

Great information. To the point.

[@hassanhijazi9503]

THANK YOU MAN

[@420]

First test just shows me signs of forearm tightness/soreness. Might incorporate this as a tendonitis stretch for myself.

[@hirosuke75846]

Very helpful video and a much better alternative to going to WebMD where I would probably read that I would need a shoulder replacement lmao! It seems I only lightly sprained my supraspinatus muscle since that empty can test was the only one I had a bit of trouble with. Thanks for such an informative video!

[@DaN3xtEconomist]

I felt a bit of pain in the first and 3 test but passed them. I don't really know if it still counts

[@ILLWill1027]

@@DaN3xtEconomist nope technically u didn’t pass because you should be checking for ofcourse the flat inability to do the exercise or discomfort in performing them which u had discomfort so that’s a sign to further go and be checked out.

[@user-ww8gu1zm5n]

Hey

[@tommyaudio]

how did u fix it?? mine has been hurting for 6 weeks

[@Loyalty100]

I needed this root-cause tool so bad. It was my subscapularis. I then watched a couple of videos on "releasing" it. Within 10 min of watching this video, my pain was gone. Thank you SO much, Sir!!!

[@kellylotempio5178]

Which videos?

[@jassisachdev3217]

Thanks for your video sir , after suffering and spending money,but no relief,but now I m 80% fine in just a week, thanks

[@petevodulia590]

Phew. I think I passed all your “tests” - I’ve been stressed the last week or so after injuring my shoulder which I had surgery on in 2015 (full rotator cuff repair) and hoping and praying I didn’t damage it to the point of surgery. Had an X-ray earlier today and the doc ordered me to REST it for the next 10 days. Praying it heals…. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@kinss1]

I’ve had shoulder & bicep surgery. The bicep recovery was rough ! But it worked

[@Doug-tp1jp]

:45 Empty Can Test - Supraspinatus 1:25 Drop Arm - Supraspinatus 1:50 Lag (Pitcher) - Supra/Infra/Teres 2:30 90% then externa-Infraspinatus 2:45 Lift of back - Subscapularis

[@bigdaddytrips6197]

Thanks 👍

[@aaronmurphy2686]

Thanks for this - its been bothering me why the outside of my shoulder has hurt for last few weeks on chest day. Bingo the empty can test is really painful. Now onto the how to fix it video.

[@haroonkhan9816]

How did you fixed it?

[@Americanoligarchy]

i struggle a little with numbers 1 and 5, but what about the dryer test: when bending over and reaching into a dryer or retrieving something from under the bed or any shelf above eye level, I experience the most god awful deep stabbing pain in my right shoulder, sometimes dull sometimes intense depending on how much reach I exert. all started when I lost my balance and crashed into a ceramic planter, collapsing all my weight on it between my upper rib cage and arm pit. it's been 2-3months and only mild improvement. I went the urgent care, had it checked out like a week or so after the fact cause I thought it heal on its own. if I knew it's was going to be one of those life altering accident, I would've been more careful.

[@dannylaza1326]

Thanks a lot. I felt a tear in my anterior deltoid area when bench pressing. I was able to continue with some pain (not smart) but I didn't think it was super serious. I was able to perform all of these without pain (3 weeks later, I didn't try prior till today which was 3 weeks after injury). I think I might have had a very minor tear somewhere but that it's all good now. Thanks again

[@DanFerg-gx2mm]

The first test about put me in the floor with pain. The next 3 weren't that bad but reaching behind my back hurts without doing anything else. I've been walking a lot to lose weight. I wear a Fitbit to count my steps and my arm hurts really bad after I walk. Also, I push myself up from my chair because my knees are shot. Again, that first test is rough.

[@kfletcher2005]

I definitely have a compromised supraspinatus and possibly intraspinatus. Seeing a doc next week about it.

[@karamasaahmed5026]

Thank you so much for this beneficial video. I was feeling pain on in my shoulder. But as soon I tried the empty can test I felt better.

[@bepriceless]

Thanks.

[@SticksAndStoners007]

All but the last test hurt like hell and now my left shoulder is on fire ! Been dealing with my shoulder for years now and I’m getting a second pair of eyes to look at my shoulder coming soon I was sure I torn it awhile back and I’m still believe that it’s jacked up still

[@davidharris7805]

I was doing push ups in a decline position and oh boy, i blew it out. Your tips have helped

[@willa1699]

I don’t feel pain but I feel slight discomfort in test 1 and 5 at the joint on my right side. My left in comparison o feel nothing. I’ll try these exercises thank you ❤

[@taranveerlochavfitnessandl159]

I passed all the test but sometimes I move my arm I have a small pain in my shoulder is it simple tear then how much days should I rest from workout

[@tommyaudio]

thank you! is this something we can do in our sleep?? (i failed tests 1 and 2, and had a hard time with 3) and it's been a strange mysterious injury that kinda came outta nowhere and has lasted over 6 weeks

[@Jasmine2024]

Because the bureaucratic system of medical services in America is very long and inefficient, I still haven't managed to see an orthopedist and get an MRI of my arm three months after the possible rupture of my tendons or ligaments. I am very grateful to KZbin for replacing the dysfunctional American medical system for me, and I am also grateful to the good doctors and specialists on KZbin that thanks to your explanations, even without taking an MRI, I realized that I most likely have rotator cuff tear like this because apparently My orthopedist should give me an emergency visit and send me for an MRI. And now its already 3 months I suffering from pain and cannot do anything with my left arm and hand.I have to suffer for a month or two until finally, after five months of pain, they will find out what my problem is with an MRI. FYI, I live in the largest and best city in America in terms of medical services. The American medical system is really a joke. In my opinion, the title of the best doctor of the year in America should be given to KZbin, because most Americans treat their pains through specialist doctors on KZbin rather than waiting for months to be visited by doctors and undergo medical tests.thank you doctor🙏🌹

[@ava.artemis]

It is a sick joke. 😂 I cured myself of 35 years of chronic illness by researching online, because conventional doctors are totally useless, and all of the rehab that’s helped me with multiple injuries has come from KZbin and the internet as well. I found one unconventional PT clinic that is fantastic- but they don’t take insurance because they’re unconventional and what they do is too effective, so they can’t work with insurance because then they’d be like every other pt clinic that isn’t effective.

[@Jasmine2024]

@@ava.artemisthanks for reply! In which state did you to that unconvential PT may I have their address , name and phone number too?! Thank you🙂

[@psycowesocial9866]

Left shoulder pain when doing a lat raise .just before parallel boom pain hits me sometimes even locks.

[@inmade4291]

What if on the empty can test my shoulder pops (not hurting) every time I rotate my arm, and also hurt a little bit when i press the arm as shown on the video ? 😢

[@zombiesandpumpkins]

what if you have a lot of pain with all of these tests, but the pain is in the bicep muscle area, not the shoulder?

[@kendrafisher4377]

Warning, prepare for severe pain if you do have a rotator cuff injury. I am in tears from the pain after moving my shoulder too much. So I learned it is what my Dr thinks it is and that referral to the orthopedic specialist is needed, but knowing it's my rotator cuff has done nothing but cause severe pain that is unbearable. Thanks

[@PavelDatsyuk-ui4qv]

No way this isn't sarcasm lol

[@5gallonsofwater495]

I heard a tear near my left shoulder today while I was training. I passed all these tests but I suspect that my trapezius got strained. If I straightened my left arm forward and try to reach to the right without turning my torso, there is pain.

[@christines9529]

I have tendinitis and tissue damage in my right rotator cuff and pulled trapezius also on right side massage therapy and physiotherapy hasn’t been helping everything is getting worse what do I do

[@Killa91115]

I can do all these exercises feeling a lil pain but no lose of strength. Is that good? Or bad?

[@auberthere3737]

I had an x-ray that discovered my tare. This video helped me not worried so much about it. I was able to do all of the exercises, however the back one was difficult. The xray was after a car accident. I have no idea how it happened other than lifting 40 lbs of cat litter that caused pain.

[@JuanVargas-xi5zn]

Thanks 👍🏻🇨🇷

[@DaN3xtEconomist]

Hi....what do you mean by pain? Is it sharp? Feels cold? Can you emphasize more please. I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is discomfort

[@marthafitch4030]

What can you take for the pain?

[@mr.g.916]

What do you mean by compromised? Is that a tear? I have pain in all tests but I can do all movements without weakness. Half the time my shoulder hurts without any movement.

[@kmgrath]

Great video . The first two tests were huge fails for me 👌🏻 now I know roughly which part of my shoulder needs assessing

[@tommyaudio]

how did u recover?? mine's been hurting for 6 weeks

[@Ed-hz2um]

Unfortunately, I fail 4 out of 5 of these. I had a fall a couple of years ago and my arm twisted behind my back, dislocating my shoulder. My osteo doc told me that my tear was too bad to repair, and that even a reverse shoulder replacement would not restore range of motion. Any suggestions?

[@stephjess1133]

What does it mean if you have severe shoulder pain but no rotator injury indicators?

[@haddikadoctor]

Great.

[@PaulusdeBk]

Great video! Positive on all tests.... Now what...

[@dragon-7]

I have a pain that appears in the right arms rear rotator cuff that happens when I push hard or lift/pull something heavy by my side, the thing is I could do all these tests and barely get any pain. I remember it started since I threw out my arm years ago and got that pain in the same area. Any tips or information on that?

[@mrs.kiefed_entity7974]

I broke my right should in 5 places 9/30/22. It's coming up on 1 yr, but I still can't move my shoulder correctly. It feels hea y when I'm doing regular stuff like cleaning my house, bathing myself or my kids, doing dishes, sweeping etc. I can't lift heavy items or I drop them. I have zero control over it & it just drops. I thought maybe I had frozen shoulder, but I still continue to do my PT & I've even added more reps or trying to reach more. I feel defeated. My shoulder does hurt really bad on my ball & socket joint where one of my breaks was. I can't reach behind my back. I can only lift my arm a little under half way & I can't keep it there. It will drop. Then after doing all of that or my PT my shoulder will start to what I call vibrate or shake automatically. I can't get in to see a doctor. I moved to another state after my PT was completed. Idk what to do. My shoulder looks funny to when I am able to raise it. Almost as if it's higher on the right side. I just want this to be over with!! I want to shave my armpit & be able to use my arm correctly. Help🥺

[@luisfernandes2522]

What if all 3 tendos seem to be torn according to your test ? Can a calcific tendonitis in the shoulder be Root cause ?

[@justinsamzi3349]

If I have only the empty can test does that mean it’s teared? I don’t get pain in the other ones but only in the empty can test it does give me pain when I rotated and have my thumb downwards.

[@phillipspark7255]

Hi Tim, I only have one weakness which was on the mt can test. But I do have pain in all movements. Could this still be a rotor cuff injury

[@roboutdoors2554]

Hello, I was out hunting archery season and drew back my compound bow Mathew’s v3 . Well to say the least felt a pop and instant pain and lot of crepitus in the shoulder i can raise my arm straight up but when I try to lift my arm up to the side extreme pain and can only get it up so far I went to a ortho specialist and he said he wanted to do a shoulder decompression and debridement can you please explain

[@notahanzomain5282]

Shoulder didn’t feel too much pain throughout but noticed during the Lag Sign test it cramped up right away before even letting go with the assisting hand - is this a sign of rotator cuff issues?

[@wickedincinc]

I failed #4 and can't do #5. Also have a sharp pain when pressing on my rear delt or lifting elbow out to the side or backwards. Any non-surgical treatments I can try?

[@ReR7474]

I can’t lift the arm pretty much at all front or sideways. Constant pain hurts just below the corner shoulder.

[@ai_life_lessons01]

Sir I got pain when I throw a ball or in throwing action what injury is that

[@johnmooter2300]

only the one behind my back causes some pain but I do have pain in should er. It is torn but pain with only one test. So what therapy do I have for that since I do experience pain in shoulders

[@mpolka9647]

great graphics for a layman to understand better. :)

[@andrewbrumagen3479]

First test I heard two or three pops in my shoulder and I feel it but it's not anything new to me. I have chronic pain in my shoulder and elbow yesterday I was reaching up and I felt and I heard pops that is new to me but I fired my pistol recently so I think some scar tissue got loose up at the range and my elbow feels better now than 20 years ago. Or wishful thinking?

[@Fuliginosus]

I was able to do all those things just now without pain, but I DO feel pain with those movements sometimes, just not always. What does that mean?

[@JohnDoe-yr1xc]

What if all those moments u stated actually do bother me? I've had 3 surgeries on my right and one on my left and nothing has been the same since. I'm due for another MRI in a few days for my right due to another injury I recently had.

[@dianemoseley8245]

Will my shoulder get worse with not having surgery sooner I been told I have a very bad tear in my tendon in my shoulder have to wait 8 weeks am worried it will get worse

[@jumpninthedarkalley]

Thank you. Doc was right, supraspinatus tendonitis. Cheers

[@chadibenkhadra8047]

I did all the tests and I had no problem it just hurts when I lift and after

[@nathanielhoward9309]

Hi Tim, I'm currently working on my undergrad at the University of Texas and am interested in PT School. I was wondering what your thoughts are regarding a DPT and PhD. graduate program. Do you think a PhD. in Physical Therapy holds enough value to go through another 2-3 years of schooling after receiving the DPT, and do you think a teaching profession in Physical Therapy is a quality career to look into?

[@curse9598]

i found myself struggling to do raises in the gym so the empty can test is the only problem I have but idk what to do to make it go away, I would like for someone to give me an instruction to make the pain go away and thank u doc

[@buddhathebarber4857]

I have subtle ultra mild pain doing empty can, no pain at all in others. Strain ?

[@anthonyzawisa9964]

Felt pain on the empty can test but was still able to keep my arm extended and resist the weight. Was in pain but it wasn’t excruciating. What does this mean?

[@EliHank]

Had an MRI and an X-ray done nearly four months ago when I was experiencing moderate pain on ny right shoulder which to my surprise, came out normal. Now, my shoulder feels worse than ever and I fail test #1 really hard. I don't know what to do ? Do I just go to different clinics until they diagnose me correctly ? The sheer amount of constant cracking, grinding and popping in my shoulder is absolutely insane

[@SithLordmatthew]

Passed them all but the shoulder is still a mess. Lot of pain and the arm bone is catching and popping off the shoulder blade. When I fell on the arm in 5 months ago for the first week I had very limited movement couldn't lift the arm. I can raise it above the head now but the left has another foot of range.

[@ashleyschmidt9001]

What if I cant lift the arm at all without searing pain?

[@TrumanProductions]

I only show signs for the first test (empty can test). My arm almost feels like it dislocates, muscle/ bone pops, and it makes my arm instantly drop. Is that a tell tale sign? Ive been dealing with this for last 5 years.

[@rumcyjohnrumcy9287]

5months ago i got a severe pain inshoulder after pushing the limits too much in pushups .after somedays pain gone . but had a rrstricted shoulder movemnts ...i started doing pushups agin but there is clicking on the shoulder which is annoying .Tere is also a slight needle pinching like pain on shoulder ...what to do now ?

[@AEVanPelt]

Thanks. Where did you find the cool skeleton muscle pics?

[@lovpizza1320]

all signs on my shoulder positive weakness especially!!! ughhhh i have no work for jan and first two weeks of feb. rest and repair.

[@louisewijkander600]

I have been diagnosed with impingement and frontal subscapularis tendonitis. The impingement is not as problematic as the tendonitis in my case. How do I treat the tendonitis effectively!?? I ave been looking high and low for info on this but never found any that really targets this problem! I use crutches and a zimmer frame to move around due to an unrelated disability and this makes my situation even harder since the affected area never really gets to rest and heal. PLEASE PLEASE HELP!

[@lyanneroberts7936]

Can the pain spread to the other shoulder. I passed all these tests

[@johnstrand2247]

I was a massage therapist for 23 years and found that most of what was being called "rotator cuff tears" was actually Bicep problems that starts all of the shortening in the shoulder.

[@SuccessFitness]

this has been my theory how biceps can effect the shoulder

[@moni9192]

Yep I originally had bicep tendinitis that led to shoulder Impingement.

[@murdaapolis612]

I’m going through this right now, my bicep been irritated for a few months and last week I was lifting heavy on the dumbbells and my shoulder just start hurting the next morning

[@johnstrand2247]

@@murdaapolis612 ​ @murdaapolis6122 They would love to turn this molehill into a mountain. Stretch it behind you in short two second stretches while putting pressure on the muscle. You can use the back of a soft chair to stretch it. Just lean forward with your arm behind you mashed on the chair. Repeat several times dragging your arm forward on the top of the chair.

[@dguen798]

Can you expand on this a little more?

[@dalx21]

I think I should see a doctor. I hurt my shoulder a few days ago playing basketball. I could do the empty can, drop arm and lift off tests with minimal to no pain, but the lag test and infraspinatus test caused immense pain and my arm to drop both times. Couldn’t hold the positions whatsoever.

[@impactzful]

i have some pain doing the empty can test, and during the lag test, it doesn’t drop or anything but when it’s in that position i feel some pain. could this be a strain?

[@edchapman5801]

Could pain from any of these 5 tests be from bursitis? The reason I ask is because both of my shoulders have the same amount of discomfort. Thanks.

[@williamarrowsmiith8380]

What does this mean? I am entirely unable to move my left arm behind my back when attempting the lift off test. I am otherwise strong and pain free with all other movements and tests.

[@alexspicer6043]

For infraspinatus tears do you need surgery or possibly rehab? I rarely see a Dr for pain but feel that should get an MRI to see what’s going on but really don’t want to go through surgery

[@secretchipmunk7]

Why wouldn't your Dr have given MRI to see how bad tear is?

[@Brendaleegeneau]

I woke up three days ago with severe pain in my left shoulder. All of these test ran positive for me. I can barely do anything for the throbbing pain I am experiencing. Yesterday, I started with some light exercises and thought I was going to be sick to my stomach afterwards because the pain was excruciating. Can't sleep because sleeping on my back is the pitts for me. What in earth should do?