National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

What examination finding is expected in a patient who suffered an antero-inferior dislocation of the right shoulder?

1. Weak rhomboids

2. Positive drop arm test

3. Positive Neer's test

4. Weak deltoids

The correct answer is: Weak deltoids

A patient who has suffered an antero-inferior dislocation of the right shoulder is likely to exhibit weakness in the deltoids due to their role in shoulder abduction and flexion. In an antero-inferior dislocation, the humeral head typically dislocates forward and downward, which can lead to trauma or strain to the deltoid muscle as well as the axillary nerve, which innervates the deltoid. This can result in weakness in the muscle's ability to function effectively, particularly when raising the arm. While other findings could accompany a shoulder dislocation, they are not as specifically indicative of an antero-inferior dislocation. For instance, a positive drop arm test is often associated with rotator cuff tears, and although shoulder pain or instability may lead to a positive Neer's test, it is not characteristic of this specific type of dislocation. Weakness in the rhomboids may occur due to positional changes or other injuries but is not a direct result of antero-inferior dislocation. Thus, the weakness in the deltoids stands out as the most expected examination finding in this scenario.