Which of the following supports a diagnosis of glenohumeral instability?

Which of the following supports a diagnosis of glenohumeral instability?

• A. Age <40 with atraumatic onset
• B. Painful arc
• C. Normal apprehension test
• D. Overuse without dislocation history

Answer: (A)

Glenohumeral instability tends to show up in younger, active people and can begin without a clear, single injury—often reflecting ligamentous laxity or multidirectional laxity rather than a degenerative process. When a patient is under 40 and the onset is atraumatic, this combination increases the likelihood of instability compared with other shoulder problems that produce pain or dysfunction in different patterns. A painful arc points to subacromial impingement or rotator cuff pathology, not primarily joint laxity. A normal apprehension test would argue against instability, since a positive apprehension test is a classic sign of anterior instability. Overuse without a dislocation history fits tendinopathy or overuse injuries rather than true joint laxity. Thus, age under 40 with atraumatic onset is the clue that best supports glenohumeral instability.

Glenohumeral instability tends to show up in younger, active people and can begin without a clear, single injury—often reflecting ligamentous laxity or multidirectional laxity rather than a degenerative process. When a patient is under 40 and the onset is atraumatic, this combination increases the likelihood of instability compared with other shoulder problems that produce pain or dysfunction in different patterns.

A painful arc points to subacromial impingement or rotator cuff pathology, not primarily joint laxity. A normal apprehension test would argue against instability, since a positive apprehension test is a classic sign of anterior instability. Overuse without a dislocation history fits tendinopathy or overuse injuries rather than true joint laxity. Thus, age under 40 with atraumatic onset is the clue that best supports glenohumeral instability.