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The name of this organization shall be the Shoulder Special Interest Group (SSIG) of the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.

The purpose of the SSIG shall be to provide a specific forum where individuals having a common interest in physical therapy for the shoulder may meet, confer, and promote patient care through education, clinical practice and research.

Read the latest Shoulder SIG newsletter!

RESEARCH UPDATE: PHYSICAL EXAMINATION TESTS OF THE SHOULDER
Dan Lorenz, MS, PT, ATC/L, CSCS

A comprehensive physical therapy examination involves many factors including a detailed subjective examination, postural assessment, range of motion measures, strength/selective tissue tension testing, palpation, and special tests. Ideally, a special test will help the clinician identify the pain-generating structures in order to define a specific diagnosis and plan of care. Additionally, a valid and reliable special test may eliminate the need for costly diagnostic testing procedures. When considering special tests, the clinician would find it most desirable to have a test that is both 100% specific and 100% sensitive.