The diagnostic value of a modified Neer test in identifying subacromial impingement syndrome.

Abstract

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is characterized by pain experienced through an arc of elevation as the shoulder abducts and diagnosed commonly by Neer test (NT). However, the diagnostic accuracy of NT for SAIS is still limited. Here, a modified Neer test (MNT) was introduced to improve the accuracy of the clinical examination in diagnosing SAIS and differentiating it from frozen shoulder. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic values of MNT in diagnosing SAIS and differentiating it from frozen shoulder. Between January 2015 and June 2015, a prospective study assessed 85 shoulders among 82 patients with shoulder joint disease; 42 patients underwent arthroscopic surgery, and all 82 patients received X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or MRI contrast examinations. The diagnostic criteria are based on arthroscopy and MRI scanning. Using clinical epidemiology and diagnostic tests, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and degree of accuracy of MNT in diagnosing SAIS. The diagnostic accuracy rate of MNT in identifying shoulder SAIS was 90.59%, and the specificity was 95.56%. In the diagnosis of SAIS, MNT is a reliable and highly accurate maneuver and seems useful to distinguish this syndrome from frozen shoulder.