Master Shoulder Special Testing: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Testing with Picmonic for Physical Therapy

For the Eden’s Test, the patient will be standing while the clinician assesses the radial pulse. The clinician will draw the patient’s shoulders down and back. The patient lifts their chest in an exaggerated “at attention” position. A positive test is indicated if there is a decrease or disappearance of the radial pulse. It is also considered positive if the patient experiences an increase in symptoms in the upper extremity of the tested side.

During the Wright Test, the patient will be seated with the shoulder abducted 180°, full elbow extension, and the shoulder externally rotated. The patient is instructed to take a breath, rotate, then extend the head. The radial pulse is palpated to detect changes. A positive test is indicated if the radial pulse disappears.