Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Shoulder Apprehension Test

also known as Anterior apprehension test
🎬
Video coming soon

How to Perform

With the patient supine or seated, the shoulder abducted to 90° and the elbow flexed to 90°, slowly and gently externally rotate the shoulder while supporting the arm. The test is positive when the patient develops apprehension or a sense that the shoulder is about to dislocate.

How to Interpret

Showing all 2 findings

Anterior Glenohumeral Instability

Positive apprehension test
Rule in
Very helpful
Rule out
Somewhat helpful
Evidence:Strong
Positive relocation (Jobe) test — apprehension/pain relieved by posteriorly directed pressure on the humeral head
Rule in
InconclusiveWide CI
Rule out
InconclusiveWide CI
Evidence:Strong

Related Bedside Tests

Full Sequence
🎬Video coming soon
Shoulder Exam: Full Sequence

How to put several maneuvers together in a smooth sequence. Technique and evidence for each maneuver are on its own page.

🎬Video coming soon
Cross-body Adduction Test
aka Scarf test
Rule in:NHAcromioclavicular Joint Pathology
Rule out:NHAcromioclavicular Joint Pathology
🎬Video coming soon
Drop Arm Test
aka Codman test
Rule in:SHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
Rule out:NHSubacromial Impingement, ICSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
🎬Video coming soon
Empty Can Test
aka Jobe test
Rule in:SHSupraspinatus Tear, MHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
Rule out:SHSubacromial Impingement, MHSupraspinatus Tear, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
🎬Video coming soon
Hawkins Impingement Sign
aka Hawkins-Kennedy test
Rule in:MHSubacromial Impingement, ICSupraspinatus Tendinopathy, IERotator Cuff Tendinopathy +1 more
Rule out:SHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy, IERotator Cuff Tendinopathy +1 more
🎬Video coming soon
Infraspinatus Strength Test
Rule in:SHRotator Cuff Disease, MHInfraspinatus Tear
Rule out:SHInfraspinatus Tear, SHRotator Cuff Disease

Related Systems / Regions

MusculoskeletalShoulderUpper Extremities

Related Diagnoses

Anterior Glenohumeral Instability

Related Chief Complaints

Feeling the Shoulder Will DislocateRecurrent Shoulder DislocationShoulder ApprehensionShoulder Coming Out of JointShoulder Gives WayShoulder InstabilityShoulder Pain with Overhead MotionShoulder Slipping Out

References

  • Hegedus EJ, Goode AP, Cook CE, Michener L, Myer CA, Myer DM, Wright AA. Which physical examination tests provide clinicians with the most value when examining the shoulder? Update of a systematic review with meta-analysis of individual tests. Br J Sports Med. 2012;46(14):964-978. PMID: 22773322.
  • Rowe CR, Zarins B. Recurrent transient subluxation of the shoulder. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1981;63(6):863-872.

Research last updated September 10, 2026.