Apprehension and Relocation

Published July 2, 2026 Read time 1 min read Readers 2
Shoulder Apprehension and Relocation Test

What is the "Apprehension and Relocation" used for?

  • Anterior Instability

How to perform the "Apprehension and Relocation"?

  • Have the patient lie supine.
  • Apprehension test performed by bringing the arm in 90 degrees of abduction and full external rotation and patient experiences sense of instability.
  • Relocation test performed by placing examiner’s hand on humeral head applying a posterior force on the humeral head.
  • Patient will experience reduction or elimination of sense of instability.

What is the positive result?

  • Positive test if the patient experiences the sensation of instability

Test Accuracy

  • Sensitivity: 68-88 %
  • Specificity: 50-100 %

References