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Apley Scratch Test

Apley Scratch Test


Name
Purpose1
Description1
Reliability
Apley’s Scratch Test
Tests for limitations in motions of the upper extremity. Each motion is performed bilaterally to compare.
 Action 1: The subject is instructed to touch the opposite shoulder with his/her hand. This motion checks Glenohumeral adduction, internal rotation, horizontal adduction and scapular protraction.
Action 2: The subject is instructed to place his/her arm overhead and reach behind the neck to touch his/her upper back. This motion checks Glenohumeral abduction, external rotation and scapular upward rotation and elevation.
Action 3: The subject puts his/her hand on the lower back and reaches upward as far as possible. This motion checks glenohumeral adduction, internal rotation and scapular retraction with downward rotation
Hand Behind Back:
 Intra examiner =
.442-.913
Inter examiner=
.122-.803

1.       Konin JG, Wiksten DL, Isear JA, Brader H. Special tests for orthopedic examination. 3rd ed. Thorofare, NJ: SLACK incorporated; 2006.
2.       Hoving JL, Buchbinder R, Green S, Forbes A, Bellamy N, Brand C, Buchanan R, Hall S, Patrick M, Ryan P, Stockman A. How reliably do rheumatologists measure shoulder movement? Ann Rheum Dis. 2002; 61: 612-616.
3.       Edwards TB, Bostick RD, Greene CC, Baratta RV, Drez D. Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of the measurement of shoulder internal rotation by vertebral level. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2002; 11:40-42.