Rockwood Test

What is the “Rockwood Test” used for?

• Anterior Instability

How to perform the “Rockwood Test”?

• The examiner stands behind the seated patient. With the patient’s arm at the patient’s side, the examiner rotates the shoulder laterally. 
• The arm is then abducted to 45° and passive lateral rotation is repeated.
• The same procedure is repeated at 90° and 120°
• These different positions are performed because the stabilizers of the shoulder vary as the angle of abduction changes

What is the positive result?

• For the test to be positive, the patient must show marked apprehension with primarily posterior pain when the arm is tested at 90°. 
• At 45° and 120°, the patient shows some uneasiness and some pain; at 0°, there is rarely apprehension.

References

1. Shoulder Apprehension Test – Orthofixar