Jobe's test

Purpose

The purpose of this test is to determine instability for the shoulder. This test should be performed bilaterally to compare stability of both right and left shoulder joints.

Procedure

The patient is to lie supine on the table. They are to place their shoulder at 90° abduction. The elbow should be flexed at 90°. The examiner should stand beside the patient with distal hand holding the patient's wrist and hand. The examiner's proximal hand is to be placed over the patient's humeral head. The examiner applies a posterior force to the humeral head and externally rotates the patients humerus.

Mechanism

The examiner applies a posterior force to the humeral head and externally rotates the patients humerus.

Results

A decrease in pain or apprehension or an increase in range of motion is a positive sign for anterior instability. Anterior pain may be caused by laxity in anterior ligaments or capsular structures or a tear of the labrum. Posterior pain may be caused from internal impingement of the posterior capsular or labrum.

History

Jobe's test is a physical exam test that is used to detect anterior shoulder instability. It is used to distinguish between anterior instability and primary shoulder impingement. This test should be performed after the Apprehension test.

References

References

1. (2006). "Special Test for Orthopedic Examination". SLACK Incorporated.
2. "Orthopedic and Athletic Injury Examination Handbook". F.A. Davis Company.
3. "Clinical Examination".
4. (June 2001). "Dead Arm Syndrome: Torsional SLAP Lesions versus Internal Impingement". Techniques in Shoulder & Elbow Surgery.