Rowe’s Test

Rowe’s Test (anterior glenohumeral instability) Purpose: To test if there is a presence of a transient and/or recurrent anterior subluxation of the shoulder joint causing a dead-arm syndrome (1). Patient position: Standing or Supine lying. Examiner position: Standing beside the patient’s affected side. Procedure: In Rowe’s test for shoulder instability, the patient is either in standing or lies down in the supine position. The examiner moves … Continue reading Rowe’s Test

Bony Apprehension Test

Purpose of Bony Apprehension Test: To test if bony lesions are contributing to the cause of anterior instability of the glenohumeral joint (1). The bony lesions one should consider in this context are an osseous glenoid deficiency i.e., a bony bankart lesion of at least 25% of the glenoid and/or an engaging hill-sachs lesion of at least 2 cm in engagement length (1). Patient position: … Continue reading Bony Apprehension Test

Crank test (glenoid labral tears)

Purpose of Crank test (glenoid labral tears): To detect a labral pathology (glenoid labral tears) of the shoulder joint. Patient position: Sitting or supine lying. Examiner position: Stand facing the patient’s affected side. Procedure: Abduct the patient’s arm up to 160 degrees in the scapular plane (1) and then flex the elbow joint up to 90 degrees. Apply a gentle axial load to the glenohumeral … Continue reading Crank test (glenoid labral tears)

Anterior Release or Surprise Test

Purpose of Anterior release or surprise test (anterior glenohumeral instability): To detect an occult anterior instability of the shoulder joint (1). Patient position: Supine lying with the affected shoulder over the edge of the examination table. Examiner position: Stand facing the patient’s affected side. Procedure: Abduct the patient’s arm up to 90 degrees while placing a posteriorly directed force on the patient’s humeral head using … Continue reading Anterior Release or Surprise Test

Jobe relocation test or Fowler’s sign

Purpose of Jobe relocation test or Fowler’s sign (anterior glenohumeral instability): To detect or confirm if there is an anterior instability of the glenohumeral joint (1-3). Patient position: Supine lying. Examiner position: Stand facing the patient’s affected side. Procedure: Perform an apprehension test on the affected glenohumeral joint. At the point where the patient experiences instability or pain, apply a posteriorly directed glide to the … Continue reading Jobe relocation test or Fowler’s sign