Execution
- 1Position the patient sitting without back support or supine with the shoulder relaxed.
- 2Stabilize the scapula and clavicle with one hand.
- 3Grasp the humeral head with the thumb posteriorly and fingers anteriorly.
- 4First center or loads the humeral head in the glenoid.
- 5Shift the humeral head anteriorly and posteriorly, comparing translation, end feel, and symptom reproduction with the other side.
Positive outcome
Excessive anterior or posterior translation, a soft or absent end feel, or reproduction of the patient’s instability symptoms is positive. Side-to-side difference and symptom reproduction are more important than translation amount alone.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tzannes et al. (2004) | ICC 0.42-0.72 by direction / position | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Eshoj et al. (2019) | intertester reliability acceptable for selected instability tests | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentThis is a laxity / translation assessment more than a simple positive-negative diagnostic test. Magee notes that proper centering of the humeral head is essential; otherwise false negatives can occur. Interpret laxity only when it matches symptoms, because asymptomatic translation is common.
Low Clinical Value