What test would indicate positive results if a client had rotator cuff tears?

The Drop Arm test is specifically designed to assess for tears in the rotator cuff, particularly the supraspinatus muscle. When a client has a rotator cuff tear, they may experience difficulty in slowly lowering their arm from an abducted position. During the test, the client is asked to raise their arm to the side and then slowly lower it. A positive result, indicated by the arm dropping uncontrollably or significant pain during the maneuver, suggests a possible tear in the rotator cuff.

The other assessments mentioned, while relevant to shoulder injuries, serve different functions. The Hawkins-Kennedy and Neer tests are primarily used to evaluate impingement of the rotator cuff tendons, and the Apprehension test assesses for instability in the shoulder joint rather than directly indicating a tear. Therefore, the Drop Arm test is the most effective choice for specifically identifying rotator cuff tears in a clinical assessment.