Shoulder Relocation Test | Anterior Shoulder Instability Assessment

The shoulder joint has a tremendous degree of mobility, which renders it prone to instability. While muscle forces control stability in mid-ranges of motion, clinical instability presents itself at end range of motion. The instability becomes apparent when a patient has apprehension or, fear of subluxation, at the end range of motion.

The shoulder Relocation test is usually performed directly after a positive Shoulder Apprehension Test. has a sensitivity of 64.6% and specificity of 90.2% according to Hegedus et al. (2012) and has a moderate clinical value for including or confirming anterior instability.

Execution:

1. The patient has reported symptoms with the Apprehension Test

2. The patient’s shoulder is brought into 90° of abduction and maximal external rotation until the patient feels apprehension

3. The examiner gives an anterior-to-posterior (AP) directed pressure at the humeralheadPositive Outcome: Patient’s fear of luxation is reduced after the AP pressure is applied

Other common tests to assess anterior glenohumeral joint instability are:

• Apprehension Test
• Release / Surprise Test
• Load and Shift Test

Hegedus EJ, Goode AP, Cook CE, Michener L, Myer CA, Myer DM, Wright AA. Which physical examination tests provide clinicians with the most value when examining the shoulder? Update of a systematic review with meta-analysis of individual tests. British journal of sports medicine. 2012 Nov 1;46(14):964-78.

Tzannes A, Paxinos A, Callanan M, Murrell GA. An assessment of the interexaminer reliability of tests for shoulder instability. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery. 2004 Jan 1;13(1):18-23.

Eshoj H, Ingwersen KG, Larsen CM, Kjaer BH, Juul-Kristensen B. Intertester reliability of clinical shoulder instability and laxity tests in subjects with and without self-reported shoulder problems. BMJ open. 2018 Mar 1;8(3):e018472.BibTeXEndNoteRefManRefWorks