Apley scratch test

Indications

• testing range of motion of rotator cuff

Procedure

• the patient attempts to reach across the chest & around the neck (contralateral side) to scratch the skin over the contralateral scapula
• the patient attempts to reach behind the neck (ipsilateral side) to scratch the skin over the spinous processes of the thoracic spine
• the patient attempts to reach behind the lower back (by internal rotation of the shoulder) to scratch the skin over the contralateral scapula

More general terms

• physical examination of the shoulder

Additional terms

• Apley test