A college baseball pitcher experiences anterior shoulder pain that worsens with use. What special test should the therapist perform?

The Neer Impingement Test is an effective choice for assessing the presence of shoulder impingement, particularly in athletes like baseball pitchers who often experience anterior shoulder pain due to repetitive overhead activities. This test specifically evaluates the subacromial space and can help identify conditions such as rotator cuff tears or bicipital tendinopathy, which are common in sports that require overhead throwing.

During this test, the therapist stabilizes the scapula and passively elevates the arm in the scapular plane. If the patient experiences pain during this motion, it suggests that the structures within the subacromial space may be impinged. Given that the pitcher reports pain that worsens with use, this test is particularly relevant in determining whether impingement is contributing to the patient's symptoms.

Other tests, while useful in different contexts, may not specifically address the potential issue of impingement in this case. The Drop-Arm Test evaluates for rotator cuff tears but is less focused on the specific pain mechanisms associated with impingement. The Circumduction Test assesses general shoulder range of motion rather than specific impingement pain. The Apprehension Test mainly checks for shoulder instability rather than impingement-related issues. Thus, the Ne