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NCT Number: NCT04954508

The Hug-up Test: A New, Sensitive Diagnostic Test for Supraspinatus Tears

We developed a new test, the "hug-up test," wherein elevation is resisted as the palm is held on the opposite shoulder with the elbow held in maximal anterior translation. The purpose of this study was to describe the hug-up test and compare it with other conventional tests used for diagnosing supraspinatus tears.

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Key information

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Tears Rotator Cuff Injuries Rupture Shoulder Injuries Tendon Injuries Wounds and Injuries

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Peking University Third Hospital

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100191, China

About this study

The supraspinatus tendon is the most commonly affected tendon in rotator cuff tears. Early detection of a supraspinatus tear using an accurate physical examination is, therefore, important. However, the currently used physical tests for detecting supraspinatus tears are poor diagnostic indicators and involve a wide range of sensitivity and specificity values. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a new physical test for the diagnosis of supraspinatus tears and evaluate its accuracy in comparison with conventional tests.

Between November 2012 and January 2014, 200 consecutive patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy were prospectively evaluated preoperatively. The hug-up test, empty can (EC) test, full can (FC) test, Neer impingement sign, and Hawkins-Kennedy impingement sign were used and compared statistically for their accuracy in terms of supraspinatus tears, with arthroscopic findings as the gold standard. Muscle strength was precisely quantified using an electronic digital tensiometer.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • patients scheduled to undergo an arthroscopic procedure for a diagnosis related to shoulder pain and/or weakness or dislocation by one of the senior authors from November 2012 to January 2014

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with a history of shoulder surgery, upper extremity fractures, and bilateral shoulder diseases.

Treatment and study plan

The hug-up test

Diagnostic Test

It is a new physical test used to detect supraspinatus tear

EC test

Diagnostic Test

It is a traditional physical test used to detect supraspinatus tear

FC test

Diagnostic Test

It is a traditional physical test used to detect supraspinatus tear

Neer impingement sign

Diagnostic Test

It is a traditional physical test used to detect supraspinatus tear

Hawkins-Kennedy impingement sign

Diagnostic Test

It is a traditional physical test used to detect supraspinatus tear

Diagnostic arthroscopy

Diagnostic Test

The arthroscopic operation involved complete inspection of the supraspinatus. Supraspinatus tears were categorized as fullthickness tears (FTTs), which were classified as small (≤1 cm), moderate (≤3 cm), large (≤5 cm), and massive (>5 cm), on the basis of the largest dimension, and partial-thickness tears (PTTs), which were classified as bursal-sided, articular-sided,and intra-tendinous. Other combined diseases including acromioclavicular joint derangement, infraspinatus lesions, subscapularis lesions, superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions, biceps disorders, and Bankart lesions were recorded as well to assess the specificity of the tests.

Primary outcomes

  1. patients' self-reported pain

    Time frame: immediately after the test

    Pain experienced during the Neer impingement and Hawkins-Kennedy impingement tests and weakness during the EC test and the FC test were considered positive results.

  2. diagnostic arthroscopy

    Time frame: during the arthrosocpic procedure

    The arthroscopic operation involved complete inspection of the supraspinatus. Supraspinatus tears were categorized as fullthickness tears (FTTs), which were classified as small (≤1 cm), moderate (≤3 cm), large (≤5 cm), and massive (>5 cm), on the basis of the largest dimension, and partial-thickness tears (PTTs), which were classified as bursal-sided, articular-sided,and intra-tendinous. Other combined diseases including acromioclavicular joint derangement, infraspinatus lesions, subscapularis lesions, superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions, biceps disorders, and Bankart lesions were recorded as well to assess the specificity of the tests.the supraspinatus. Supraspinatus tears were categorized as fullthickness tears (FTTs), which were classified as small (≤1 cm), moderate (≤3 cm), large (≤5 cm), and massive (>5 cm), on the basis of the largest dimension, and partial-thickness tears (PTTs), which were classified as bursal-sided, articular-sided,

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Peking University Third Hospital

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
Jul 8, 2021
Registry last updated
Jul 8, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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