Translation of the glenohumeral joint in patients with anterior instability: awake examination versus examination with the patient under anesthesia.

Fifty patients with a clinical diagnosis of traumatic anterior shoulder instability underwent bilateral shoulder translation testing while both awake and under anesthesia. Each patient was examined by 2 surgeons following guidelines developed by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. A single translation grade was established for anterior, posterior, and inferior directions. A comparison of means was performed with a paired t test. The mean anterior translation grade was significantly higher on the affected side when compared with that of the unaffected side both during awake examination and during examination with the patient under anesthesia (EUA). Ipsilateral comparison revealed significantly greater translation for both affected and unaffected shoulders in anterior, posterior, and inferior directions during EUA than during awake examination. Side-to-side comparison of posterior and inferior translation was similar for both awake examination and EUA. Clinical translation testing was helpful in the diagnosis of anterior shoulder instability. Side-to-side differences were subtle while awake and more apparent during EUA. The usefulness of awake translation testing for traumatic anterior instability was not clearly demonstrated; however, EUA provides helpful information to confirm the direction and degree of instability.