REVIEW ARTICLE
Physical Exam and Evaluation of the Unstable Shoulder
María Valencia Mora1, *, Miguel Ángel Ruiz Ibán2, Jorge Diaz Heredia2, Juan Carlos Gutiérrez-Gómez2, Raquel Ruiz Diaz2, Mikel Aramberri2, Carlos Cobiella3
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2017Volume: 11
Issue: Suppl-6, M12
First Page: 946
Last Page: 956
Publisher ID: TOORTHJ-11-946
DOI: 10.2174/1874325001711010946
Article History:
Received Date: 4/05/2017Revision Received Date: 09/10/2016
Acceptance Date: 28/10/2016
Electronic publication date: 31/08/2017
Collection year: 2017
open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Background:
The clinical evaluation of the patient with shoulder instability can be challenging. The pathological spectrum ranges from the straightforward “recurrent anterior dislocation” patient to the overhead athlete with a painful shoulder but not clear instability episodes. Advances in shoulder arthroscopy and imaging have helped in understanding the anatomy and physiopathology of the symptoms. The aim of this general article is to summarize the main examination manoeuvres that could be included in an overall approach to a patient with a suspicion of instability.
Material and Methods:
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a thorough review of the literature has been performed. Data regarding sensibility and specificity of each test have been included as well as a detailed description of the indications to perform them. Also, the most frequent and recent variations of these diagnostic tests are included.
Results:
Laxity and instability should be considered separately. For anterior instability, a combination of apprehension, relocation and release tests provide great specificity. On the other hand, multidirectional or posterior instability can be difficult to diagnose especially when the main complain is pain.
Conclusion:
A detailed interview and clinical examination of the patient are mandatory in order to identify a shoulder instability problem. Range of motion of both shoulders, clicking of catching sensations as well as pain, should be considered together with dislocation and subluxation episodes. Specific instability and hyperlaxity tests should be also performed to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
