The Load and Shift Test assesses anterior and posterior translation of the glenohumeral joint. This article explains the protocol, interpretation, limitations and how it fits into shoulder instability assessment.

Introduction

Shoulder instability presentations may include:

• anterior apprehension
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O’Brien’s Test, also known as the Active Compression Test, is commonly used to assess shoulder symptom provocation associated with superior labral and acromioclavicular (AC) joint presentations. This article explains the protocol, interpretation, diagnostic accuracy considerations, limitations and p...

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 fa...

The Kim Test is a shoulder orthopaedic test commonly used to assess posterior shoulder symptom provocation and posterior-inferior labral involvement. It is typically used in people with posterior shoulder pain, instability symptoms or painful clicking during shoulder movement. This article explains ...

The Infraspinatus Test assesses pain and strength during resisted shoulder external rotation. A positive finding may include familiar posterior or lateral shoulder pain, weakness or inability to resist compared with the other side. Current shoulder examination literature cautions against using rotat...

The Jerk Test assesses whether posterior loading of the shoulder produces a painful clunk, jerk or familiar posterior instability symptoms. A positive result may support posterior shoulder instability reasoning when it reproduces the client’s familiar symptoms. Contemporary posterior shoulder instab...

The Inferior Sulcus Test is used to assess the glenohumeral joint for inferior instability. Here are the steps to perform the test:

1. Position the patient standing or sitting with their arm at their side.
2. Grasp the patient's elbow with one hand and their wrist with the other hand.
3. Apply a downwar...

The Internal Rotation Lag Sign assesses whether a client can maintain a passively placed shoulder internal rotation position, commonly with the hand behind the back. A positive finding is inability to hold the position, visible lag, weakness or symptom reproduction. A 2022 systematic review and meta...

The Full Can Test assesses pain and strength during resisted shoulder elevation in the scapular plane with the thumb pointing up. It is often used in rotator cuff-related shoulder assessment, but it does not isolate the supraspinatus or diagnose a rotator cuff tear on its own. Contemporary shoulder ...

Hornblower’s Sign assesses whether the client can externally rotate the shoulder when the arm is elevated or abducted. A positive finding may include inability to hold external rotation, dropping into internal rotation, weakness or familiar posterior shoulder symptoms. Current shoulder examination e...

The Hawkins-Kennedy Test assesses shoulder pain response during passive shoulder flexion and internal rotation. It is often used in subacromial pain and rotator cuff-related shoulder pain assessment, but it does not identify one specific compressed structure. A 2024 systematic review found the evide...

The Hara Test is a multi-item assessment used in throwing athletes to screen shoulder, scapular and upper-limb kinetic chain findings that may relate to throwing symptoms. It should be treated as a structured clinical screen rather than a diagnostic test. Current overhead athlete literature supports...