Kolbel's Bow Test
August 21st, 2017
Overview
Test For
- Subacromial impingement.
How to Perform
- Ask the patient to elevate the arm. Ask them to then lean forward and let the arm hang downward.
Abnormal If
- The shoulder is painful on elevation and the pain is relieved on hanging the arm downward.
Mechanism
- The greater tubercle of the humerus impinges against the coraco-acromial arch, irritating the subacromial bursa. Letting the arm hang relieves the impingement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------