UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Shoulder Abduction Test aka Bakody’s Sign

Category: Orthopedics

Posted: 10/12/2024 by Brian Corwell, MD (Updated: 10/13/2024)
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Shoulder Abduction Test aka Bakody’s Sign

Used clinically in the evaluation of patients with suspected cervical radiculopathy

Unlike Spurling’s test, where we create discomfort, this test attempts to relieve it.

Specifically, evaluates for nerve root compression at C4-C6/7

To perform:

Have the patient sit or with their back straight.
Instruct the patient to raise the symptomatic arm and place the hand on top of their head.

Arm Abduction can be active or passive

3. Instruct the patient to hold this position for 30 seconds.

4.Observe the patient for any relief of symptoms (A positive test)

Decrease in pain, numbness, weakness or tingling

5. Repeat on the unaffected side for comparison.

Sensitivity: 17–78% Specificity: 75–92%

Note: when asked about what alleviates their pain, patients will frequently describe and demonstrate the maneuver.

Consider adding this simple maneuver in your assessment of patients with suspected symptomatic cervical radiculopathy