What is indicated by a positive Codman's Drop Arm Test?

A positive Codman's Drop Arm Test is indicative of issues related to the rotator cuff, particularly tears of the rotator cuff muscles such as the supraspinatus. When performing this test, the patient is asked to abduct their arm to shoulder level and then lower it slowly. If the arm drops suddenly or the patient experiences pain, it suggests that the rotator cuff is not functioning properly, usually due to a tear.

This test is specifically designed to evaluate the integrity of the supraspinatus muscle, a key component of the rotator cuff. If the test is positive, it often correlates with significant pain or weakness experienced when attempting to move the arm, reinforcing the diagnosis of a rotator cuff injury. Each of the other options presented does not relate directly to the specific rotator cuff assessment that the Codman's Drop Arm Test provides.