Apprehension Test |
Examination type |
Ligamentous special test |
Patient & Body Segment Positioning |
Position the patient supine in a relaxed position near the edge
of the examination table so that their involved shoulder is able
to externally rotate without having interference from the table.
The involved limb should be placed in 90 degrees of abduction, 90
degrees of elbow flexion with the forearm in neutral. |
Examiner Position |
The examiner places grabs with one
hand, around the proximal wrist while the other grasps the
elbow. Support the patient's humerus
at the elbow with the shoulder abducted 90 degrees and the elbow
flexed 90 degrees with forearm in neutral position |
Tissues
Being Tested |
Primarily the
Inferior Glenohumeral Ligament as
well as the anterior glenohumeral ligaments. |
Description of
Test being performed and Positive Test |
Gently
and gradually externally rotate the shoulder maintaining hand
position. If the patient has had a recent anterior dislocation
or subluxation of the glenohumeral joint, apprehension or
discomfort will occur as the shoulder approaches 90 degrees of
external rotation. Also note the subject's facial expressions
which may also indicate apprehension. |
Interpretation |
This test attempts to reproduce the
subject's mechanism by placing the limb in the correct position
and creating a movement that recreates the subject's episode of
anterior shoulder instability. |
Common errors in
performing exam |
Do not
cause an actual anterior dislocation when externally rotating
the arm |
Factors possibly
resulting in misinterpretation |
Subject may not be able to relax
sufficiently to perform the test correctly. Evidence of
apprehension experienced by the patient does not necessarily
indicate anterior shoulder dislocation pathology |
Related tests |
Posterior Apprehension Test,
Relocation/Jobe Test, Anterior Instability Test, Anterior
Translation Test |
References |
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Links: |
What the Results Suggest
How the Test is Performed
DESCRIPTION OF
TEST BEING PERFORMED |
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