Assesses for musculoskeletal pain generators in the chest.

  • Sternum Compression Test

  • Chest trauma
  • Pain with respiration
  • Impaired anterior thoracic mobility

Patient Position
  • Supine
Examiner Position
  • Standing at the patient's side
Steps of Performance
  1. Examiner identifies the sternum of the patient through palpation
  2. Place one or two hands on the sternum and apply a mild to moderate anterior to posterior force through the sternum
  3. Ask the patient whether they are experiencing discomfort or pain, and if so, the exact location of their pain
Alternative Methods

Anterior to posterior force applied directly to the sternum during the sternal compression test will mobilize the structures of the chest that are in direct contact with the sternum. This is likely to elicit pain secondary to various forms of nearby musculoskeletal pathology.

General

Positives

Chest Pain

  • Rib fracture
  • Joint dysfunction (sternocostal, costovertebral, or costotransverse)
  • Intercoastal Muscle Strain

Pertinent Negatives

DATA
TAGS
References
Corley, Fred G. Jr MD. Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System: Examinations-Signs-Phenomena. The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care 60(4):p 921, April 2006. | DOI: 10.1097/01.ta.0000209640.30314.f5

Assesses for musculoskeletal pain generators in the chest.

  • Chest trauma
  • Pain with respiration
  • Impaired anterior thoracic mobility

Patient Position
  • Supine
Examiner Position
  • Standing at the patient's side
Steps of Performance
  1. Examiner identifies the sternum of the patient through palpation
  2. Place one or two hands on the sternum and apply a mild to moderate anterior to posterior force through the sternum
  3. Ask the patient whether they are experiencing discomfort or pain, and if so, the exact location of their pain
Alternative Methods

Anterior to posterior force applied directly to the sternum during the sternal compression test will mobilize the structures of the chest that are in direct contact with the sternum. This is likely to elicit pain secondary to various forms of nearby musculoskeletal pathology.

General

Positives

Chest Pain

  • Rib fracture
  • Joint dysfunction (sternocostal, costovertebral, or costotransverse)
  • Intercoastal Muscle Strain

Pertinent Negatives