Adson’s test – What is the purpose, indication and relevance?

Adson’s Test: Client is seated with their head and neck extended and rotated towards the affected side. Practitioner extends and laterally rotates the affected arm behind them, then finds and monitors the radial pulse. Client takes a deep breath and holds it for 15 to 30 seconds, compressessing the neurovascular bundle against the anterior scalene.

Purpose:

• Assess for neurovascular compression in the thoracic outlet

Indications:

• Cervical, should or upper limb pain
• Upper limb weakness or paresthesia

Relevance:

• Positive test – recurrence of the clients symptoms, numbness, tingling or diminished radial pulse is indicative of thoracic outlet syndrome (usually related to tight scalene muscle)

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This post was written by Omar Rifai