Which test would be used to provoke anterior glenohumeral instability concerns?

Which test would be used to provoke anterior glenohumeral instability concerns?

• A. Apprehension test
• B. Full can test
• C. Tennis elbow test
• D. Biceps tension test

Answer: (B)

An anterior shoulder instability is tested by provoking the joint’s stability structures—the capsule and labrum—by placing the arm in a position that tends to slip the humeral head forward. The Apprehension test does exactly that: with the arm abducted and externally rotated, the humeral head is driven toward the anterior glenoid rim. If the joint is unstable or a labral tear is present, the patient will typically show apprehension, guarding, or a look of fear that the shoulder will dislocate. A positive response supports concerns about anterior instability. The Full Can test, in contrast, aims to detect rotator cuff (particularly the supraspinatus) pathology. The Tennis elbow test checks for lateral epicondylitis, and the Biceps tension test assesses issues with the long head of the biceps tendon or SLAP lesions. None of these specifically provoke or assess anterior glenohumeral instability, which is why the Apprehension test is the best choice for this concern.

An anterior shoulder instability is tested by provoking the joint’s stability structures—the capsule and labrum—by placing the arm in a position that tends to slip the humeral head forward. The Apprehension test does exactly that: with the arm abducted and externally rotated, the humeral head is driven toward the anterior glenoid rim. If the joint is unstable or a labral tear is present, the patient will typically show apprehension, guarding, or a look of fear that the shoulder will dislocate. A positive response supports concerns about anterior instability.

The Full Can test, in contrast, aims to detect rotator cuff (particularly the supraspinatus) pathology. The Tennis elbow test checks for lateral epicondylitis, and the Biceps tension test assesses issues with the long head of the biceps tendon or SLAP lesions. None of these specifically provoke or assess anterior glenohumeral instability, which is why the Apprehension test is the best choice for this concern.