National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Special Practice Exam

The Compression Rotation Test is designed to assess the integrity of the glenohumeral joint, specifically looking for signs of instability or potential labral tears. In this test, the examiner applies a compressive force while rotating the shoulder, which involves moving the arm into abduction and applying a passive rotation of the humerus.

This combination of shoulder abduction and passive rotation effectively stresses the structures in the shoulder. By moving the arm into this position, the examiner can evoke symptoms or elicit a click, which may indicate underlying pathology associated with the labrum or instability within the joint.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the specific movements involved in this test. For instance, internal and external rotation of the shoulder can be part of various other assessments but do not emphasize the compression aspect alongside the necessary rotation for this specific evaluation. Similarly, shoulder flexion and adduction or shoulder extension and bracing do not represent the actions taken in the Compression Rotation Test, as shoulder abduction is crucial for positioning the arm effectively during the procedure.