The shoulder abduction relief test, also called Bakody's test, is a medical maneuver used to evaluate for cervical radiculopathy.[1] Specifically, this test is used to evaluate for nerve root compression at C5-C7. It is often used when a patient presents with neck pain that radiates down the ipsilateral upper extremity.[2] The patient's shoulder is abducted by lifting the affected arm above their head either actively or passively. A decrease in radicular symptoms upon shoulder abduction would be considered a positive Bakody's sign and is indicative of nerve root compression.[3]
Mechanism
Reduced tension at the nerve root upon shoulder abduction has been identified as the probable mechanism that leads to relief of the pain.[4] Studies on the effect of shoulder abduction on neuroforaminal pressures have provided some support for this claim.[2]
Accuracy
A 2007 meta-analysis described the shoulder abduction relief test as having low to moderate sensitivity and moderate to high specificity.[5] Another study in 1981 found that 15 of 22 patients with unremitting radicular pain reported relief with shoulder abduction.[1]
^Fast, A.; Parikh, S.; Marin, E. L. (May 1989). "The shoulder abduction relief sign in cervical radiculopathy". Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 70 (5): 402–403. ISSN0003-9993. PMID2719545.
