top of page

Labral Tears (Including SLAP Lesions)

What is the Labrum?


The labrum is a rim of cartilage around the shoulder socket (glenoid). It deepens the socket, stabilizes the shoulder, and serves as an anchor point for ligaments and the biceps tendon.


What is This Condition?


  • A labral tear is when this cartilage ring becomes frayed or detached.

  • A SLAP tear (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) occurs at the top of the labrum, often where the biceps tendon attaches.


What Causes It?


  • Repetitive overhead throwing or lifting

  • Falls or sudden pulling injuries

  • Shoulder dislocations

  • Normal aging changes in the cartilage


What are the Symptoms?


  • Deep pain inside the shoulder, often with overhead activity

  • Catching, locking, or clicking sensations in the joint

  • Weakness or instability, sometimes described as the shoulder “slipping”

  • Pain with throwing or lifting

  • Decreased performance in sports, especially overhead or throwing athletes


How is It Diagnosed?


  • Physical exam: specific maneuvers that reproduce pain or clicking

  • MRI with contrast (arthrogram): shows tears in the labrum

  • Sometimes diagnosis is confirmed during arthroscopy


How is It Treated?


  • Rest and activity modification

  • Physical therapy to improve stability and mechanics

  • Anti-inflammatory medications

  • Cortisone injections for pain relief

  • Surgery if symptoms persist: arthroscopic labral repair, SLAP repair, or biceps tenodesis (releasing and reattaching the biceps tendon)


Learn more from AAOS (OrthoInfo):

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/shoulder-joint-tear-glenoid-labrum-tear/

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/slap-tears/

bottom of page