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What is a Shoulder Labral Tear?

A shoulder labral tear is a cartilage tear that surrounds the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint, and the cartilage around the socket (the labrum) helps keep the ball in place. A shoulder labral tear may occur due to injury or overuse, leading to shoulder instability and pain. It is classified among sports medicine injuries.

What is a Shoulder Labral?

A shoulder labral is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint. This cartilage ring helps keep the shoulder socket in position and stabilizes the joint. The labrum can be injured or torn due to a fall, an accident, or repetitive motions such as pitching or swimming.

Types of Shoulder Labral Tears
There are three most common labral tears.

• SLAP Tear
SLAP stands for superior labrum from anterior to superior. The tear happens when the tendon pulls away from the bones tearing the labrum. This type of tear is common in athletes who take part in overhead activities such as pitching, swimming, and weightlifting.

• Bankart Tear
It is also known as Bankart lesions. It occurs when the socket and ball disintegrate, resulting in a shoulder dislocation. As the shoulder pops out, it tears the labrum causing pain and instability.

• Posterior Labral Tear
This is the least common type of labral tear. It happens at the back of the shoulder joint, where the labrum is thin and weak. It is usually caused by a fall on the outstretched arm.

Symptoms of a Shoulder Labral Tear

The most common symptoms of a labral shoulder tear include the following:

• Persisting pain in the shoulder joint
• Discomfort when sleeping.
• The shoulder loses strength.
• The shoulder socket keeps grinding and popping due to a lack of stability.
• Swelling and stiffness in the shoulder joint

Diagnosis of a Shoulder Labral Tear

The symptoms may be present and proven by physical examination, but there is a need for proper diagnosis. It is to ensure proper treatment of the shoulder injury. There could be different tears and may need different treatments.

Advanced and modern technology has helped develop tests to diagnose an orthopedic injury. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) CT arthrogram (CAT) scans are good at defining the extent of the labral tear. Unfortunately, these tests may not provide the full tear diagnosis. Thus, the best diagnosis is through shoulder arthroscopy.

Treatment of a Shoulder Labral Tear

The shoulder injury treatment is administered according to the type of tear. Dislocation is treated as an orthopedic injury. Putting the shoulder back to position in the pocket by operation surgery or other assisted methods like arthroscopic procedures.

SLAP tears are treated using inflammatory medications and injections and physiotherapy sessions for up to six weeks. This treatment depends on the extent of the labral tear. Also, cortisone shots are given as it is a long-term anti-inflammatory medication. If the pain persists, then arthroscopic surgery is done to repair the damage.

Find relief at the Ozark Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Center

These sports medicine injuries all need proper diagnosis and treatment. Some may need surgery and others medication and physiotherapy. They all work to restore your shoulders’ good health. For special orthopedic treatment, book an appointment with the fellowship-trained orthopaedic physicians of Ozark Orthopedics and be on your way to a healthy shoulder in no time. Call (479) 521-2752  to request an appointment.