Wright’s Test (Hyperabduction Maneuver)
- Examines neural tissue compromise through thorac-coraco-pectoral gate or axillary interval
- Patient is seated with arms at the side
- The radial pulse is palpated
- Step one: The therapist places the patient’s shoulder into abduction and external rotation to 90 degrees. The elbow is flexed to no more than 45 degrees. This position is held for 1 minute.
- Step two: Repeat the previous test with the patient’s arm in hyperabduction (end range of abduction).
- Positive test: change in radial pulse and/or symptom reproduction
- 90 degrees of abduction: pectoralis minor impingement of subclavian vessels
- Hyperabduction: indicates costoclavicular interval involvement
***This test was found to have the greatest sensitivity for neurogenic and vascular TOS
(Hooper et. al., 2010, Watson et. al, 2009)