FIGURE 43.3 The apprehension test to evaluate for shoulder subluxation The patient’s shoulder should be abducted passively and rotated externally If this elicits apprehension or pain, the test is positive If not, the examiner then should apply anteriorly directed pressure to the posterior aspect of the humeral head If this elicits pain, then the test also is positive and the patient’s shoulder may have subluxed or the glenohumeral joint has some instability