Hawkins sign
A clinical test for shoulder impingement performed by flexing the arm to 90° and internally rotating while stabilizing the scapula.
Full Definition
The Hawkins sign, also known as the Hawkins-Kennedy test, is a provocative maneuver used to assess for subacromial impingement syndrome in the shoulder. The test is performed with the patient standing or sitting, with the examiner flexing the patient's arm to 90° at both the shoulder and elbow, then forcibly internally rotating the humerus while stabilizing the scapula. A positive test reproduces the patient's pain and suggests impingement of the rotator cuff tendons, particularly the supraspinatus, against the coracoacromial arch. This test is commonly used alongside the Neer sign in the evaluation of overhead athletes with shoulder pain.
Usage
Usage note: Often used in conjunction with Neer sign for comprehensive impingement assessment.
In Context
- "A positive Hawkins sign reproduced the patient's anterior shoulder pain during overhead activities." — Physical examination
- "Both Neer and Hawkins signs were negative, making impingement syndrome less likely." — Clinical assessment