Rhomboids Strength Test

Testing for:
the strength of the rhomboid muscles

Procedure:

  • Patient is prone
  • Patient affected shoulder to 90°
  • Patient internally 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 cannot hold the arm in extension or cannot resist the therapist anteriorly directed pressure