Shoulder: subacromial impingement: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Shoulder: subacromial impingement

Sample item

A painter has shoulder pain on abduction between 60 and 120 degrees, which settles when the arm is raised higher. What is this finding called?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Painful arc of subacromial impingement

In subacromial impingement the supraspinatus tendon and bursa are compressed beneath the coracoacromial arch during abduction, causing pain between about 60 and 120 degrees. The Neer and Hawkins-Kennedy tests are positive, and subacromial injection relieves the pain.

Option by option

  • A. Apprehension sign

    The apprehension sign relates to anterior instability.

  • B. Sulcus sign

    The sulcus sign relates to inferior instability.

  • C. Painful arc of subacromial impingement (correct)

    Correct. A painful mid-range arc is the sign of impingement.

  • D. Drop arm sign

    The drop arm sign relates to a full-thickness cuff tear.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is C, Painful arc of subacromial impingement. In subacromial impingement the supraspinatus tendon and bursa are compressed beneath the coracoacromial arch during abduction, causing pain between about 60 and 120 degrees.

Why is "Apprehension sign" not the answer?

The apprehension sign relates to anterior instability.

Why is "Sulcus sign" not the answer?

The sulcus sign relates to inferior instability.

Why is "Drop arm sign" not the answer?

The drop arm sign relates to a full-thickness cuff tear.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Shoulder: subacromial impingement in Orthopaedics. The Neer and Hawkins-Kennedy tests are positive, and subacromial injection relieves the pain.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Shoulder: subacromial impingement?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.