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

21 OF THE MOST USEFUL ORTHOPAEDIC TESTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

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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