Test library › Shoulder & upper arm
O'Brien's / active compression test
For: SLAP lesion
A tear of the top of the labrum, the rim of cartilage around the shoulder socket, where the long head of biceps attaches. SLAP stands for superior labrum, anterior to posterior.
A weak test on its ownWhat the numbers mean
- Positive result: barely informative: a positive result changes little.
- Negative result: barely informative: a negative result changes little.
Source
Buijze GA, Mariaux S, van Spanning SH, Verweij LPE, van Rijn SK, Lafosse L, Lafosse T. The O'Brien test demonstrates a higher diagnostic value in identifying posteroinferior labral tears than SLAP tears. JSES Int. 2023;7(1):67–71. PubMed · single study
Figures as they will appear in Rule It In, Rule It Out (Trokos, forthcoming). If a newer or better study changes them, this page changes with the book. Figures last updated from the book on 2 October 2026.
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