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

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

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04954508
Enrollment
200
Registered
2021-07-08
Start date
2012-12-01
Completion date
2014-01-31
Last updated
2021-07-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Tears

Brief summary

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.

Detailed description

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.

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTThe hug-up test

It is a new physical test used to detect supraspinatus tear

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTEC test

It is a traditional physical test used to detect supraspinatus tear

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTFC test

It is a traditional physical test used to detect supraspinatus tear

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTNeer impingement sign

It is a traditional physical test used to detect supraspinatus tear

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTHawkins-Kennedy impingement sign

It is a traditional physical test used to detect supraspinatus tear

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTdiagnostic arthroscopy

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.

Sponsors

Peking University Third Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

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.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
patients' self-reported painimmediately after the testPain experienced during the Neer impingement and Hawkins-Kennedy impingement tests and weakness during the EC test and the FC test were considered positive results.
diagnostic arthroscopyduring the arthrosocpic procedureThe 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,

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026