2 min read • October 20, 2022
Posted in
By Parth Patel
SLAP refers to Superior Labrum, Anterior to Posterior. These tears account for nearly 4-8 percent of shoulder injuries.
Labrum refers to the fibrocartilage (rubbery tissue) that keeps the ball of the humerus in place. A torn labrum may lead to shoulder instability.
Because the shoulder is a complex joint, shoulder injuries are common due to both overuse as well as direct injury to the joint. Shoulder dislocations may occur as a result of abrupt force applied to the joint which may result in a torn labrum.
Although not all shoulder dislocations will result in a labral tear, it increases the risk of shoulder dislocations in the future which may ultimately lead to a labral tear. These risk factors are increased in athletes who play contact sports such as football. This is primarily due to the need for players to being in compromising positions while simultaneously experiencing direct contact forces from opposing plays as well.
Symptoms of a labral tear include pain accompanying movements that require moving your arm, particularly, when lifting your arms above 90 degrees. This may also be associated with restricted range of motion to the shoulder as well as shoulder instability.
The range of symptoms vary and if you are experiencing severe pain when doing certain movements with your injured arm, it is highly recommended to refrain from any physically demanding activities involving your upper body as this may only worsen the situation and delay healing. It is also highly recommended to get imaging such as a x-ray to ensure there is no bone damage as well as an MRI to see the extent of soft tissue damage.
There are many options for treatment of a labral tear however the one thing remains common in all of them, an emphasis on rest. Nonsurgical treatments emphasize rest as well as reducing inflammation via icing the injury or through anti-inflammatory medications. It is highly recommended to immobilize the affected arm and use supporting tools such as a sling to ensure the torn shoulder labrum is not overly stressed. This includes holding off on activities such as throwing or weightlifting that will put undue stress on the shoulder joint. Once the labrum has healed enough such that there is limited movement, a sports medicine physician may recommend physical therapy as a good next step. Strengthening the rotator cuff muscles involved at the shoulder joint will help increase stability of the joint. However, if the symptoms still remain, surgical interventions such as minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery may be a good choice.
The healing period for a torn labrum differs depending on the severity of the tear as well as the treatment. If the labral tear is minor enough to heal without surgical intervention, it will typically nearly twelve weeks conservatively to heal. For an athlete to return to a contact sport such as football, this healing period maybe increased as the labrum needs additional time to be strengthened to the point where it can withstand the impact forces common in the sport. The healing period for a torn labrum treated with surgery to the point at which an athlete can return to their sport will likely be at least four months.
Due to the nature of the injury, it is highly advised to prevent doing any sort of intensive upper body movements that may put the injured arm in a comprised position. This will not only increase the recovery time but may also cause further, more permanent damage to the labrum.
Given adequate rest as well as proper diagnosis of the injury and treatment, an athlete has a high chance to return to sports following their treatment with the recommendation of a sports medicine physician. However, it is essential to slowly build up strength to prevent recurrent shoulder instability. Specialized braces are available to provide additional support to the injured shoulder however this is a temporary solution and will greatly reduce range of motion. However, it should be used in conjunction rather than in place of proper treatment.
The shoulder is a highly mobile joint however it comes at the cost of stability. As a result, athletes especially must be mindful of their movements and ensure that they keep the longevity of their body in mind. There should be an emphasis on building both shoulder muscular strength as well as shoulder flexibility to increase their chance of preventing labral tear or even worse, permanent shoulder damage.
Written by
