Understanding the Apprehension Test (Anterior) Assessment
The Apprehension test is generally used to test the integrity of the glenohumeral joint capsule, or to assess glenohumeral instability in an anterior direction.
Watch How It's Done
How do I start?
Patient is supine. Shoulder is abducted to 90° and elbow is flexed to 90°.
What happens?
The patient should be position in supine. The therapist will flex the patient's elbow to 90 degrees and abducts the patient's shoulder to 90 degrees in sagittal plane and 180 degrees in frontal plane (horizontal abduction), maintaining neutral rotation. The examiner then slowly applies an external rotation force to the arm to 90 degrees while carefully monitoring the patient. Patient apprehension from this maneuver, not pain, is considered a positive test. Pain with the maneuver, but not apprehension may indicate a pathology other than instability, such as posterior impingement of the rotator cuff.
In Plain English
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
The patient exhibits **apprehension, anxiety, or guarding** (a feeling that the shoulder is about to dislocate) and reports reproduction of their pain, causing them to stop the movement.
Helpful Tip:
The test puts the anterior capsule on stretch. A positive test indicates dynamic instability.
Safety First
This guide is to help you understand what happens in a clinic. Do not try to diagnose yourself. If you have severe pain, swelling, or cannot put weight on your leg, please visit an urgent care center or your doctor immediately.
Other Shoulder Tests
Hawkins-Kennedy Test
To detect **subacromial impingement syndrome**, specifically involving the supraspinatus tendon or biceps long head tendon.
Jobe's Test (Empty Can Test)
To assess for a tear or pathology of the **Supraspinatus muscle or tendon**.
Sulcus Sign
The sulcus test is used to assess the glenohumeral joint for inferior instability, due to laxity of the superior glenohumeral ligament and coracohumeral ligament.It was first described by Neer and Foster in 1980 to examine multidirectional instability
Yergason's Test
To assess for **pathology of the Long Head of the Biceps tendon** (e.g., instability, tear, or tendinopathy) and its stability in the bicipital groove.