Shoulder Anterior Drawer Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing Anterior Glenohumeral Instability.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient supine.
- Action: Stabilize the scapula with one hand. With the other hand, grasp the proximal humerus and pull it anteriorly (upwards).
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Increased anterior translation compared to the unaffected side, often with a click or apprehension.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Sensitivity: 53%
- Specificity: 85%
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Shoulder Anterior Drawer Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Shoulder region, combining the Shoulder Anterior Drawer Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
