The Relocation and Anterior Release Test (surprise relocation) is used to evaluate which condition?

• A. Posterior instability
• B. Anterior instability
• C. Inferior instability
• D. Multidirectional laxity

Answer: (B)

This test targets anterior shoulder instability. When the shoulder is placed in a position that stresses the anterior structures, a patient with anterior instability may experience apprehension or pain about the humeral head wanting to dislocate forward. Applying a posterior-directed force to relocate the humeral head often reduces that apprehension and pain. If relief occurs with the posterior pressure, it supports the presence of anterior instability due to laxity of the anterior capsule and labrum. The surprise relocation variant simply delivers that posterior force suddenly to heighten the provocative response. This maneuver isn’t used to diagnose posterior instability or multidirectional laxity, which involve different patterns of instability and different tests.