What changes when Kaltenborn–Evjenth Mobilization meets the shoulder? Start with the patient's movement, assess safely, and see what the re-test reveals.
2 specific variationsClinical re-test built in
Specific variations
How this technique is applied in the shoulder
Each variation below is written so you can follow patient setup, contact, direction, dose and the re-test that decides whether the technique earned a place in the plan.
01
ShoulderGlenohumeral joint
Glenohumeral Grade I–III Traction
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Pain, flexion/abduction and joint-play response.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Use Grade I to reduce compression, Grade II to take up slack and Grade III to stretch a restricted capsule when irritability permits.
Primary target
Glenohumeral joint
The movement that tells us
Pain, flexion/abduction and joint-play response.
Patient focus
Use Grade I to reduce compression, Grade II to take up slack and Grade III to stretch a restricted capsule when irritability permits.
Therapist verifies
Pain, flexion/abduction and joint-play response.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in pain, flexion/abduction and joint-play response. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
1
Position the patient
Supine with the shoulder near its resting position and the arm supported.
2
Set the contact
Stabilize the scapula and grasp the proximal humerus close to the joint line; a belt may be used by a trained clinician.
3
Apply the technique
Apply traction perpendicular to the glenoid treatment plane. The grade is defined by slack/tissue resistance, not by arbitrary force.
4
Dose & re-test
10–30 second sustained holds repeated 3–5 times with reassessment. Re-test: Pain, flexion/abduction and joint-play response.
Clinical pearl
The treatment plane determines the direction. Pulling on the distal arm without controlling the joint is not precise traction.
Safety / avoid
Avoid acute dislocation, fracture or unstable repair.
02
ShoulderHumeral head
Posterior Translatoric Glide
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Flexion/internal rotation and functional reach.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Improve selected flexion/internal-rotation restriction when posterior translatoric glide is indicated.
Primary target
Humeral head
The movement that tells us
Flexion/internal rotation and functional reach.
Patient focus
Improve selected flexion/internal-rotation restriction when posterior translatoric glide is indicated.
Therapist verifies
Flexion/internal rotation and functional reach.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in flexion/internal rotation and functional reach. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
1
Position the patient
Supine with the scapula stabilized and humerus supported near the treatment position.
2
Set the contact
Broad contact over the anterior proximal humerus close to the joint.
3
Apply the technique
Glide the humeral head posteriorly parallel to the treatment plane after appropriate traction/slack is taken up.
4
Dose & re-test
10–30 second sustained bouts × 3–5. Re-test: Flexion/internal rotation and functional reach.
Clinical pearl
Kaltenborn glides are sustained translatoric movements—not rhythmic Maitland oscillations.
Safety / avoid
Avoid anterior/posterior instability as appropriate.
A technically correct technique is not automatically a useful technique. Keep it only when the patient's pain, range or function improves in a clinically meaningful way, then transfer that gain into active movement, loading or self-management.
