Middle Trapezius StrengthTest

Testing for:
the strength of the middle trapezius muscle

Procedure:

• Patient is prone
• Patient affected shoulder to 90°
• Patient externally rotates arm
• Patient attempts to extend their affected arm then hold (grade 3 strength)
• therapist stabilizes unaffected shoulder
• Patient attempts to extend their affected arm as the therapist resists (grade 5 strength)

Positive Sign:
The patient’s cannot hold the arm in extension or cannot resist the therapist anteriorly directed pressure