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The empty can test (Jobe's test) and full can test are used to diagnose shoulder injuries. Specifically, these physical examination maneuvers examine the integrity of the supraspinatus muscle and tendon.[1]
| Empty can/Full can tests | |
|---|---|
| Purpose | diagnose shoulder injuries |
In both tests, the patient is placed in a standing or sitting position, and the arms are raised parallel to the ground in the scapular plane.[2] The tests differ in the rotation of the arm; in the empty can test, the arm is rotated to full internal rotation (thumb down) and in the full can test, the arm is rotated to 45° external rotation, thumb up.[1] Once rotated, the clinician pushes down on either the wrists or the elbow, and the patient is instructed to resist the downward pressure.[1][2][3]
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The test is considered positive if weakness, pain or both are present during resistance.[1][2][3] A positive test result suggests a tear to the supraspinatus tendon or muscle, or neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve.[3]
In Orthopedic Physical Assessment Atlas and Video (2011), Magee and Sueki provide the following data on the interrater reliability, specificity, and sensitivity data regarding the Empty can test.[1]
| Reliability | k = 0.43 |
| Specificity | 62% - 89.5% |
| Sensitivity | 25% - 88% |
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