Shoulder Anterior Drawer Test

What is the "Shoulder Anterior Drawer Test" used for?

• Anterior Instability

How to perform the "Shoulder Anterior Drawer Test"?

• Stablize the scapula and apply an anteriorly directed force against the humeral head with the contralateral hand.
• NOTE: graded 1+, 2+, and 3+, but this only documents amount of laxity, not pathologic unless causes symptoms

What is the positive result?

• Positive if there is sense of instability when compared to the contralateral side

Test Accuracy

• Sensitivity: 53 %
• Specificity: 85 %

References

• Anterior Drawer of the Shoulder | Orthofixar
• Tzannes, Anthony & Murrell, George. (2002). Clinical Examination of the Unstable Shoulder. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.). 32. 447-57. 10.2165/00007256-200232070-00004.