Even though there are several physical tests available for superior labrum anterior posterior lesions, there have been very few reports on their accuracy, and none can be regarded as completely predictive for the presence of a superior labrum anterior posterior lesion in the shoulder joint. This test was conducted independently by 2 physicians before any other diagnostic evaluation. Sixty-one patients (61 shoulders) were examined with the passive compression test, and all underwent arthroscopic surgery. In 31 patients with a positive passive compression test result, 27 had a superior labrum anterior posterior lesion, and in 30 patients with a negative passive compression test result, 6 had a superior labrum anterior posterior lesion. The sensitivity of the test was 81.8%, and the specificity was 85.7%. The positive predictive value was 87.1%, and the negative predictive value was 80.0%. The coefficient was 0.771 between the 2 independent examiners . The authors conclude that the passive compression test is a useful and accurate technique for predicting superior labral tears of the shoulder joint.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007, 35, 1489-1494