shoulder apprehension test

Indications

• evaluation of shoulder stability with shoulder pain or trauma as in rotator cuff tears

Procedure

• the patient is placed in a supine position
• the arm abducted at 90 degrees & the forearm flexed
• the examiner places 1 hand under the affected shoulder
• with the other hand, the examiner applies gentle pressure to the forearm at the elbow

Interpretation

• pain or apprehension constitutes a positive test

More general terms

• physical examination of the shoulder
• apprehension test