Let's learn about the O'Brien Test for shoulder pain in a simple way!

Does your shoulder hurt a little? Maybe you feel that pain when you do something, when you raise your arm? When you have shoulder pain like that, there's a simple test called the O'Brien test that doctors use to find the cause. Let's talk about this in a little more detail today, okay?

What is the O'Brien test?

Simply put, the O'Brien test is a simple test that doctors use to help diagnose the cause of your shoulder pain. It's like a simple hand test. It basically looks for a tear or damage to the cartilage in your shoulder, specifically the labrum , or any problems with your AC joint (acromioclavicular joint) . It's also called the 'active compression test' because it involves you raising your arm and applying force.

When is the O'Brien test performed?

Now you're probably thinking, 'What's this AC joint? What's this labrum?' Our shoulder is a very complex joint, isn't it? It has many parts. This O'Brien test focuses specifically on two parts: your AC joint and your labrum .

What is the AC Joint?

The AC joint is one of four joints in your shoulder. This is where the top of your shoulder blade (we call it the acromion , which is the top, outer edge of the shoulder blade) meets the top of your collarbone ( the clavicle ). Think of it as a small joint on the top of your shoulder. The O'Brien test can detect any problems with the AC joint, such as a separation or a tear in the cartilage there.

What is a labrum?

The labrum is a piece of cartilage that's shaped like a bumper. It's located around the main joint in your shoulder (called the glenoid) . It helps keep the ball-and-socket joint in your shoulder stable. This joint is made up of the socket of your shoulder bone (the glenoid) and the ball-and-socket of your upper arm bone ( the humerus ). The O'Brien test can check for a tear in the upper part of this labrum . This is also called a SLAP tear . SLAP is short for Superior Labrum, Anterior to Posterior. This means a tear in the upper part of the labrum, from the front to the back.

Also, this O'Brien test can sometimes detect other shoulder problems, for example:

• Rotator Cuff Tear
• Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
• Acromioclavicular joint arthritis or separation of the AC joint

It also helps to confirm that this is not something like that.

Who does this O'Brien test?

This O'Brien test is typically performed by healthcare providers such as:

• Athletic trainers , especially in the case of injuries to athletes.
• Orthopedists are doctors who have specialized knowledge about your bones and joints.
• Physical therapists are people who teach you exercises and help you heal.
• Primary care providers are the doctors you usually see first for a medical condition.

How does the O'Brien test work?

Okay, now let's see how to do this O'Brien test exactly. It's very simple. You can do it sitting or standing.

The doctor will tell you to do this:

1. First, extend both your arms straight forward at a 90-degree angle to your shoulders, parallel to the ground . Your elbows should be completely straight.

2. Next, bring your arms slightly to the sides, that is, closer to the center of your body (about 10 to 15 degrees).

3. Now is the most important part. Turn your hands inward . The backs of your hands will be facing each other, with your thumbs pointing down . Your elbows will be turned out away from your body. This is called pronation in medical terms.

Imagine, you are holding a water bottle in your hand and twisting the cap, like you are tightening it.

While you are holding your hands like this, the doctor will sit in front of you or behind you and press your hands from top to bottom . He will tell you to push your hands up against that pressure . That means you should not let your hands go down.

Then, the doctor will tell you to turn your arms the other way. That is, turn your palms up, toward the ceiling . Then your elbows will turn toward the floor. This is called supination . It's like you're extending your arm and asking someone for something.

Again, as the doctor presses your hands down from top to bottom, you should push your hands up against it.

What does a "positive" O'Brien test mean?

Okay, now that this test is done, how does the doctor say whether it's 'positive' or 'negative'?

A 'positive' O'Brien test is considered to be:

• You feel pain in your shoulder when the doctor squeezes your hand while you turn your hands inward (i.e., in the first position with your thumbs down).
• But, when you turn your hands outward (i.e., in the second position with your palms facing up) and the doctor squeezes your hand,That pain will decrease, or even disappear.

The pain must definitely decrease in this second position for the O'Brien test to be 'positive'.

Now, the doctor can get some idea based on where the pain is felt.

• If the pain is deep inside the shoulder, it is more likely to be a labral tear . Sometimes, if there is a labral tear, you may hear a 'click' sound in the shoulder when this test is performed.
• If the pain is located at the top of your shoulder, close to the skin , it could be a sign of an AC joint issue .

How should I prepare for this test?

You don't need to do any special preparation to do the O'Brien test, or active compression test. This is a very simple test that is usually done in a doctor's office.

What happens after the O'Brien test?

After the test is done, your doctor will talk to you about the results. That is, whether the test is 'positive' or 'negative', why it was that way, what it means, etc. Then, he or she will tell you if you need any further tests.

How reliable is the O'Brien test?

Now you may be wondering, 'Is this O'Brien test 100% accurate?' In fact, sometimes even people with healthy shoulders can have a 'positive' active compression test . That means that even someone who has no pain can feel pain during that first movement.

Therefore, the O'Brien test is just one tool that a doctor uses to assess shoulder pain. It is difficult to say exactly what the disease is based on this alone. Usually, this test is accompanied by other tests for an accurate, complete diagnosis .

How long does it take to get the results of the O'Brien test?

You can know the results of the O'Brien test right away because the doctor is doing it with you. He can tell you right away whether you have pain or not, and when it started.

But, as I said before, this is only one step in evaluating your shoulder pain. Your doctor may also recommend other tests, such as:

• X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan : These can take pictures of the inside of your shoulder to see the condition of the bones, cartilage, and soft tissues.
• Blood tests : Sometimes, by looking at the levels of certain chemicals in your blood, you can find out if you have a condition like gout or rheumatoid arthritis .
• Shoulder arthroscopy: This is a minor surgery. A camera is inserted through a very small incision and the inside of the shoulder joint is examined. This is sometimes used for diagnosis as well as treatment.

Take home message

Okay, so I hope you now have a better understanding of the O'Brien test we talked about today.

Simply put, the O'Brien test is a simple test that a doctor can perform to help determine the cause of shoulder pain. It's typically used to check for a labral tear or AC joint problem.

Although this alone cannot draw any definitive conclusions, it can help your doctor get an idea of ​​your condition. If you are also experiencing shoulder pain, it is best to see a doctor and get the necessary tests and treatment without ignoring it. Then you can recover quickly.

` Shoulder pain, O'Brien test, active compression test, labrum tear, AC joint disorders, shoulder examination, SLAP tear