What test involves the therapist suddenly letting go of the patient's upper extremity?

The Drop-Arm Test is designed to assess the integrity of the rotator cuff, particularly the supraspinatus muscle. During this test, the therapist raises the patient's arm to shoulder level and then suddenly releases it. A positive result occurs when the patient is unable to maintain the position of the arm and it drops suddenly instead of being lowered slowly in a controlled manner. This inability indicates a potential tear or weakness in the rotator cuff muscles. Understanding this test is essential for evaluating shoulder pathologies, especially in cases of impingement or rotator cuff injuries.