Which test is NOT part of the Park et al. trio for ruling in a full-thickness rotator cuff tear?

• A. Painful arc sign
• B. Drop-arm sign
• C. Infraspinatus muscle test
• D. Hawkins-Kennedy test

Answer: (D)

Park’s trio are three signs that are specifically used to identify a full-thickness rotator cuff tear: the painful arc sign, the drop-arm sign, and the infraspinatus muscle test ( resisted external rotation ). The painful arc sign shows pain in a midrange of abduction, suggesting supraspinatus involvement. The drop-arm test demonstrates a failure to control the arm smoothly when lowering it, reflecting a tear. The infraspinatus muscle test assesses weakness or pain with resisted external rotation, again pointing toward a tear in the rotator cuff.

Hawkins-Kennedy, by contrast, is a provocative impingement test that stresses the subacromial space to detect impingement syndrome. It’s useful for impingement rather than specifically ruling in a full-thickness rotator cuff tear as defined by Park’s trio. Therefore, Hawkins-Kennedy is not part of Park’s trio.