Shoulder Orthopaedic Test: Jobes Relocation Test

Jobe’s Relocation Test assesses whether applying a posteriorly directed force to the humeral head reduces apprehension or familiar symptoms in an anterior instability position. A positive finding may support anterior shoulder instability reasoning when relocation reduces apprehension, slipping or familiar instability symptoms. Contemporary shoulder instability sources describe Jobe’s Relocation Test as one part of a broader clinical examination that also includes apprehension, load and shift, sulcus sign and history.

Introduction

A client reports fear or slipping when the shoulder is placed into abduction and external rotation. The Apprehension Test reproduces that feeling. Jobe’s Relocation Test then assesses whether a posteriorly directed stabilising force reduces the apprehension.

The test is most useful when the client’s key response is instability or apprehension, not simply pain. Pain reduction can be recorded, but it should not automatically be interpreted as proof of anterior instability.

Quick Summary

Test name: Jobe’s Relocation Test
Also known as: Relocation Test
Body region: Glenohumeral joint
Purpose: Assess whether posterior humeral head force reduces anterior instability symptoms
Positive finding: Apprehension, slipping or familiar symptoms reduce with posteriorly directed force
Negative finding: No meaningful change in apprehension or symptoms
Best used with: Apprehension Test, release/surprise test, anterior drawer, load and shift, sulcus sign, shoulder ROM and instability history
Key limitation: It does not diagnose a labral tear or instability condition on its own

What Is Jobe’s Relocation Test?

Jobe’s Relocation Test is performed after positioning the shoulder into an anterior apprehension position. A posteriorly directed force is applied to the humeral head to see whether apprehension or familiar symptoms reduce.

It is often used as a follow-up to the Apprehension Test.

Why It Is Used

The test is used when anterior shoulder instability is part of the assessment.

It may help document whether a posterior stabilising force reduces the client’s sense of instability in an abducted and externally rotated shoulder position.

What It Assesses

The test assesses symptom response to posterior relocation force during an anterior instability position. It does not directly identify the labrum, capsule or bone loss.

Who It Is Useful For

This test may be useful for clients with prior dislocation, subluxation, throwing-related apprehension, contact sport symptoms, overhead instability or fear in abduction and external rotation.

When to Use This Test

Use when the Apprehension Test or history suggests anterior instability and the client can tolerate the position safely.

When Not to Use or When to Be Cautious

Use caution with acute dislocation, recent traumatic instability, severe pain, suspected fracture, recent surgery, neurological symptoms, high apprehension or inability to relax the shoulder.

Equipment Required

Treatment table
Pain and symptom scale
Measurz recording workflow
Optional comparison side notes

Step-by-Step Protocol / Practice

Setup

Position the client supine.

Client position

Place the shoulder into abduction and external rotation, similar to the Apprehension Test.

Examiner position

Stand beside the tested shoulder.

Hand placement

One hand supports the wrist or forearm. The other applies a posteriorly directed force over the anterior humeral head.

Stabilisation

Control the shoulder and avoid sudden movement.

Movement or force direction

Apply gentle posterior pressure to the humeral head while maintaining the test position.

Instructions

Ask whether apprehension, slipping, pain or familiar symptoms reduce, increase or remain unchanged.

Positive finding

A positive finding is reduction of apprehension, slipping or familiar instability symptoms with posterior pressure.

Negative finding

A negative finding is no meaningful change in apprehension or symptoms.

Stopping criteria

Stop if apprehension becomes high, pain increases sharply, instability symptoms occur or the client feels unsafe.

Safety notes

Return the shoulder out of the vulnerable position before releasing posterior pressure.

Positive and Negative Test Interpretation

A positive Jobe’s Relocation Test may support anterior shoulder instability reasoning when posterior force reduces apprehension, slipping or familiar instability symptoms.

Pain reduction alone may occur for several reasons and should be interpreted cautiously unless it clearly matches the instability presentation.

A negative test does not exclude anterior instability, especially if symptoms are load-specific, sport-specific or not reproduced in the test position.

Interpretation is stronger when combined with Apprehension Test, release/surprise response, anterior drawer, load and shift, sulcus sign, shoulder ROM, strength and instability history.

Sensitivity, Specificity and Diagnostic Accuracy

he Jobe Relocation Test is used to assess possible anterior shoulder instability. Research suggests it has moderate sensitivity and high specificity, meaning a positive test can help increase suspicion of anterior instability, but a negative test does not fully rule it out. It is best used alongside the Apprehension Test, Surprise/Release Test, client history, and other shoulder assessments rather than as a stand-alone diagnostic test.

Reported diagnostic values vary across studies, but one commonly cited estimate is:

• Sensitivity: around 65%

• Specificity: around 90%

A systematic review of shoulder physical examination tests also found that shoulder special tests vary in diagnostic usefulness and should generally be interpreted as part of a broader assessment rather than in isolatio

Reliability and Validity

Reliability depends on shoulder position, degree of external rotation, amount of posterior force, symptom criteria and whether the examiner records apprehension versus pain.

The test is most meaningful when used immediately after a clearly positive Apprehension Test.

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors include releasing posterior pressure while the shoulder remains vulnerable, interpreting pain reduction as definite instability, applying excessive force, not recording apprehension, and using the test alone to diagnose a labral tear.

Limitations include client guarding, fear, pain overlap, multidirectional instability, hypermobility and sport-specific symptom variation.

Practical Applications

Use Jobe’s Relocation Test to document whether posterior stabilisation changes symptoms in an anterior instability position. It may help guide further shoulder instability assessment and return-to-sport reasoning.

How to Record This in Measurz

Record test name, side tested, result, pain score, apprehension before and after relocation, symptom location, arm position, posterior force response, familiar symptoms, guarding, comparison side, confidence in result and reason for stopping.

Add related findings such as Apprehension Test, anterior drawer, load and shift, sulcus sign, shoulder ROM, shoulder strength and sport-specific symptoms.

Related Tests / Internal Links

Apprehension Test
Anterior Drawer Test of the Shoulder
Load and Shift Test
Norwood Stress Test
Sulcus Sign
Shoulder ROM Tests
Shoulder Strength Testing
Throwing Assessment

FAQs

What does Jobe’s Relocation Test assess?

It assesses whether posterior humeral head force reduces apprehension or symptoms in an anterior instability position.

What is a positive Jobe’s Relocation Test?

A positive result is reduced apprehension, slipping or familiar instability symptoms with posterior pressure.

Is pain reduction alone positive?

Pain reduction should be recorded, but apprehension reduction is more specific to instability reasoning.

Can it diagnose a labral tear?

No. It may support instability reasoning but does not diagnose a labral tear.

What should be recorded?

Record arm position, apprehension before and after, pain, symptoms, posterior force response and stopping reason.

Key Takeaways

Jobe’s Relocation Test is a follow-up to anterior apprehension testing.
Apprehension reduction is more meaningful than pain reduction alone.
Release pressure only after moving out of the vulnerable position.
It does not diagnose labral pathology on its own.
Measurz should capture symptom change before and after relocation.

References

Kramer, J., et al. (2020). Shoulder conditions: Traumatic instability and laxity. FP Essentials, 492, 11–19.

Hegedus, E. J., Goode, A. P., Cook, C. E., Michener, L., Myer, C. A., Myer, D. M., & Wright, A. A. (2012). Which physical examination tests provide clinicians with the most value when examining the shoulder? Update of a systematic review with meta-analysis of individual tests. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(14), 964–978. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2012-091066

Hurley, E. T., et al. (2022). Anterior shoulder instability: Current concepts in diagnosis and management. Journal details need verification.

Lo, I. K. Y., Nonweiler, B., Woolfrey, M., Litchfield, R., & Kirkley, A. (2004). An evaluation of the apprehension, relocation, and surprise tests for anterior shoulder instability. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 32(2), 301–307. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546503258690