How the Hawkins Kennedy Test Can Help Your Injury Rehab

Understanding Rotator Cuff Injuries

Causes and Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are common, particularly among athletes and active individuals. The rotator cuff comprises a group of four muscles and their tendons, which stabilize the shoulder.

Injury can occur due to various reasons such as repetitive movements, trauma, or degeneration over time.

Common Causes:

• Repetitive Overhead Movements: Common in sports like tennis, baseball, and swimming.
• Trauma: Sudden falls or heavy lifting can strain the rotator cuff.
• Degeneration: Wear and tear as you age can weaken the tendons.

Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injuries:

• Shoulder Pain: Especially noticeable during overhead activities or at night.
• Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty in lifting the arm or performing daily tasks.
• Weakness: Affected shoulder may feel weaker compared to the other.
• Clicking Sensation: Some people may experience a clicking or popping sound.

Symptoms can vary based on the severity and nature of the injury.

For detailed symptoms and causes, refer to our article on rotator cuff injury.

Importance of Proper Diagnosis and Treatment

Proper diagnosis and treatment of rotator cuff injuries are essential to prevent further damage and promote healing.

Always consult with a healthcare professional or physical therapist for a proper diagnosis and treatment regimen for your shoulder injury.

Diagnosis:

• Physical Examination: Detailed examination by a healthcare provider.
• Imaging Tests: MRI or ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and extent of injury.
• Special Tests: Hawkins-Kennedy and Empty Can test to assess shoulder impingement.

Treatment:

• Rest and Ice: Initial treatment often involves rest and application of ice to reduce inflammation.
• Physical Therapy: Rotator cuff exercises and shoulder mobility exercises are crucial for rehabilitation.
• Medications: Anti-inflammatory medications to alleviate pain and swelling.
• Advanced Treatments: In severe cases, surgical intervention such as rotator cuff surgery or reverse shoulder replacement may be necessary.

Proper diagnosis and timely treatment can significantly improve outcomes and prevent chronic issues related to rotator cuff injuries.

The Hawkins-Kennedy Test

The Hawkins-Kennedy Test is a widely recognized diagnostic tool used by healthcare professionals to identify shoulder impingement, particularly issues related to rotator cuff injuries.

What is the Hawkins-Kennedy Test?

The Hawkins-Kennedy Test is a clinical examination maneuver aimed at determining the presence of subacromial impingement in the shoulder.

Subacromial impingement refers to the compression of the rotator cuff tendons or the bursa beneath the acromion, a bony projection on the shoulder blade. The test is particularly useful for evaluating conditions like rotator cuff tendinitis and rotator cuff tears.

The purpose of the Hawkins-Kennedy Test is to reproduce the pain experienced by the patient, thereby confirming the diagnosis of impingement.

It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional to conduct this test accurately, ensuring proper diagnosis and subsequent treatment of rotator cuff injuries.

How is the Hawkins-Kennedy Test Conducted?

Performing the Hawkins-Kennedy Test involves a series of steps that require precise execution to ensure accurate results:

1. The patient is either seated or standing comfortably.
2. The examiner raises the patient's arm to a 90-degree forward flexion, with the elbow bent at a 90-degree angle.
3. The examiner then internally rotates the arm by pushing the forearm downward. This motion brings the greater tuberosity of the humerus into contact with the acromion, potentially compressing the subacromial space.

Positive Results and Implications

A positive Hawkins-Kennedy test is determined when the test reproduces your symptoms of pain or discomfort.

A positive result often indicates shoulder impingement, more specifically, subacromial impingement.

This means that your rotator cuff tendons or the bursa in the shoulder may be compressed, leading to pain and reduced range of motion.

Following a positive result, imaging studies like an MRI or ultrasound might be recommended for further examination.

Negative Results and Considerations

A negative Hawkins-Kennedy test implies that shoulder impingement is less likely.

However, this does not completely rule out other shoulder issues. If you have shoulder pain but get a negative result, further evaluation is necessary to understand the root cause.

Negative results suggest the need to consider other diagnostics or tests to rule out other shoulder conditions like torn labrum or shoulder instability.

Discussing other possible tests with your health provider can help refine your diagnosis and treatment plan.

For more detailed information on related shoulder examinations, consider reading about the Empty Can test and the Drop Arm test. These tests can provide further insights into the specific nature of your shoulder condition.

Explore more insights on how to differentiate different shoulder injuries such as frozen shoulder vs impingement.

Treatment After Hawkins-Kennedy Test

Positive Results

A positive result suggests shoulder impingement. If your test is positive, you should focus on reducing inflammation and relieving pain.

• Rest and Avoidance: Give your shoulder adequate rest. Avoid activities that exacerbate shoulder pain, such as heavy lifting or repetitive overhead motions.
• Pain Management: Utilize pain relief methods like ice packs and anti-inflammatory medications. For more ways to manage pain, consider our article on how to relieve rotator cuff pain at night.
• Rehabilitation Exercises: Incorporate specific shoulder impingement exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve shoulder stability. Include exercises like scapular retractions, shoulder blade squeezes, and gentle stretches.

Negative Results

A negative result can indicate that your shoulder pain is not due to impingement but possibly another issue such as a rotator cuff tear or tendonitis.

• Further Assessment: Seek further evaluation to pinpoint the specific cause of your shoulder pain. Utilize tests like the empty can test and drop arm test for additional insights.
• Customized Rehab Exercises: Depending on the diagnosis, incorporate target-specific exercises. For instance, if you have a torn rotator cuff, engage in gentle strengthening exercises and stretches that target the affected area. Check our guide on rotator cuff exercises for more details.

Seek RELIEF®

RELIEF® is a science-backed, targeted approach that targets dysfunctional soft tissue, also known as fascia, that surrounds the affected shoulder joint and rotator cuff.

The treatment utilizes hydrodissection—a fluid-based technique that gently separates and releases adhered soft tissue layers and fascia, which may contribute to shoulder pain and joint instability.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

RELIEF® is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional treatments—and requires no steroids, medication, surgery, anesthesia, or post-procedure immobilization.

‍Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how RELIEF® may help with your shoulder pain and rotator cuff dysfunction.