- A sensation of locking, popping, catching, or grinding.
- Pain with movement of the shoulder or with holding the shoulder in specific positions.
- Pain with lifting objects, especially overhead.
- Decrease in shoulder strength.
- A feeling that the shoulder is going to "pop out of joint"
- Decreased range of motion.
What are some physical therapy exercises for SLAP tear?
rehabilitation guidelines For SLap Lesion repair 4 Suggested Therapeutic Exercise • Scapular squeezes • Internal and external rotation in neutral with exercise band resistance to neutral – make sure patient is not supinating with external rotation movement
What is the treatment for a SLAP tear?
SLAP tear treatment
- Home remedies. Most SLAP injuries are first treated with nonsurgical methods. If your tear isn’t severe, this might be enough to heal it.
- Physical therapy. You’ll start physical therapy once your shoulder feels a bit better. ...
- Surgery. If you have a severe injury, or if nonsurgical treatments don’t work, you might need surgery. ...
Can a shoulder SLAP tear heal without surgery?
While outcomes are generally good after SLAP tear surgery, most people improve with non-surgical treatments. If you've had a SLAP tear, you will be advised to rest after your injury to allow the inflammation to subside. This may help to alleviate your symptoms.
What is treatment for SLAP lesion?
Treatment of type IV SLAP lesions is generally based on the extent to which the biceps anchor is involved. When biceps involvement is less than approximately 30% of the entire anchor, the torn tissue is typically resected and the superior labrum reattached. If the biceps tear is more substantial, a side‐to‐side repair of the biceps tendon ...
How do you test for SLAP tear?
MRI is the most common imaging tool used to diagnose labral lesions, although it may not show a SLAP lesion. Therefore an MR arthrogram, where a contrast material gets injected into the shoulder, is also used. This is able to detect a SLAP tear better than a normal MRI scan.
Are SLAP tears hard to diagnose?
A labrum SLAP tear is just one of those ways, and the symptoms are often similar, so it can be hard to diagnose. Before a physical exam, your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, pain level, and where it hurts.
How does a SLAP tear feel?
SLAP tears can cause pain and range-of-motion problems in the shoulder labrum, the biceps tendon or both. Common symptoms of a SLAP tear include: dull or aching pain in the shoulder, especially while lifting over the head. a painful feeling of clicking, popping or grinding in the shoulder during movement.
Can you see a SLAP tear on an MRI?
SLAP tear, which stands for Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior, is diagnosed with an MRI arthrogram.
What happens if a SLAP tear goes untreated?
Yes, if a SLAP tear is left untreated, some common and long-term problems could occur, including: shoulder dislocation or instability, reduced range of motion, chronic pain, and adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Therefore, it's best to pay a visit to O'Grady Orthopaedics the minute you suspect a problem.
Will a CT scan show a torn labrum?
Ninety percent of patients with labral tears had structural abnormalities seen on CT scans. These structural abnormalities frequently occur in combination, and understanding these underlying morphologic features of the hip can help guide treatment.
Is a SLAP tear a rotator cuff tear?
Rotator cuff tendon tear causes & symptoms Rotator cuff tears have very similar symptoms to other shoulder injuries, such as SLAP tears and are best diagnosed by an orthopedic specialist. This is a tear that occurs at the front of the upper arm where the biceps tendon connects to the shoulder in the labrum.
Do all SLAP tears require surgery?
SLAP tears are often painful and can cause clicking in the shoulder. They often occur as a result of a jarring motion of the arm. Unfortunately, SLAP tears do not heal on their own and usually require surgery to allow them to heal properly.
Can a SLAP tear heal with physical therapy?
Treatments. Many people with SLAP tears get better with a period of rest and rehabilitation. A physical therapy program can strengthen the muscles surrounding the shoulder and improve control of the shoulder joint.
Where does your shoulder hurt with a SLAP tear?
The S in SLAP refers to the top of your labrum. When this part of your labrum tears, your upper arm bone loses its cushion and your bicep tendon loses its connection to your shoulder blade socket. As a result, your shoulder hurts and feels unstable.
Will cortisone shot Help torn shoulder labrum?
SLAP tears are usually treated with rest, anti-inflammatory medications and, in some cases, an in-office cortisone injection. This is followed by gradual stretching of the shoulder, initially with a physical therapist, for six weeks to two months.
How do you know if your labrum is torn?
Symptoms of a Labral TearA dull throbbing ache in the shoulder joint.Difficulty sleeping due to shoulder discomfort."Catching" of the shoulder joint with movement.Pain with specific activities.Dislocations of the shoulder.
How do you know if you tear your labrum?
Symptoms of a Labral Tear A dull throbbing ache in the shoulder joint. Difficulty sleeping due to shoulder discomfort. "Catching" of the shoulder joint with movement. Pain with specific activities.
How common is a SLAP tear?
posterior labrum tear: Injuries to the back of the shoulder joint can cause a posterior labrum tear. These are rare and make up only 5 to 10 percent of all shoulder injuries.
Do all SLAP tears require surgery?
SLAP tears are often painful and can cause clicking in the shoulder. They often occur as a result of a jarring motion of the arm. Unfortunately, SLAP tears do not heal on their own and usually require surgery to allow them to heal properly.
What is the difference between a Bankart lesion and a SLAP tear?
A SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) tear, a specific type of labral tear, involves the attachment site of the biceps tendon located at the top of the shoulder joint. A Bankart tear describes a torn labrum where the humeral head shifts toward the front of the body, as an anterior labral tear.
What is a SLAP tear?
SLAP stands for "superior labrum from anterior to posterior." This type of shoulder labral tear occurs at the top (“superior”) of the glenoid labru...
What causes a SLAP tear?
SLAP tears can be caused by falling onto an outstretched hand, quickly lifting a heavy object or from a forceful, overhead arm motion during sports...
What are the symptoms of SLAP tear?
SLAP tears can cause pain and range-of-motion problems in the shoulder labrum, the biceps tendon or both. Common symptoms of a SLAP tear include: d...
How is SLAP tear diagnosed?
Diagnosing a SLAP tear is challenging, especially since they often occur in conjunction with other injuries to soft tissues of the shoulder and upp...
How is a SLAP tear treated?
SLAP tears may be treated nonsurgically or surgically, depending on the patient’s individual condition. Conservative, nonsurgical treatments includ...
How successful is SLAP tear surgery?
SLAP repair in athletes who perform frequent overarm movements have shown mixed results. This surgery is more successful in patients under age 40,...
What is the recovery time for SLAP tear surgery?
While the surgery is typically done arthroscopically as an outpatient (meaning patients go home the same day), the recovery is the hard part. Most...
How to diagnose a slap tear?
SLAP tear diagnosis. A doctor will use several methods to diagnose your injury. These might include: Medical history. This helps a doctor understand what type of activity might have caused your injury. Physical examination. A doctor will observe your shoulder and its range of motion.
What are the symptoms of a slap tear?
SLAP tear symptoms include: shoulder popping, locking, or grinding. pain with certain movements or positions. pain when lifting things, especially over your head. reduced range of motion.
What is a slap tear?
Shoulder SLAP tear. A SLAP tear is a type of shoulder injury. It affects the labrum, which is the cartilage on the rim of the shoulder’s socket. The labrum is a rubber-like tissue that holds the ball of the shoulder joint in place. SLAP stands for “superior labrum anterior and posterior.”. The tear occurs in the top (superior) ...
How many types of slap injuries are there?
SLAP injuries are classified into 10 different types. Each injury is categorized based on how the tear forms. Originally, SLAP tears were classified into types 1 through 4. The other types, known as extended SLAP tears, were added over time. The descriptions of these types vary slightly.
What type of tear is a slap injury?
Type 2 tears are the most common SLAP injuries. Depending on the location of the labral tear, type 2 tears are split into three categories: type 2A (front top) type 2B (back top) type 2C (both the front and back top)
How to repair a slap tear in shoulder?
They insert a small camera, or an arthroscope, into the joint. The surgeon then uses miniature surgical tools to repair the SLAP tear.
Where does a slap tear occur?
SLAP stands for “superior labrum anterior and posterior.”. The tear occurs in the top (superior) area of the labrum, where the biceps tendon is attached. Specifically, the tear happens in the front (anterior) and back (posterior) of the attachment. The biceps tendon might be injured, too.
What is a SLAP tear?
SLAP stands for "superior labrum from anterior to posterior." This type of shoulder labral tear occurs at the top (“superior”) of the glenoid labrum where it connects to the biceps tendon, and it extends in a curve from the chest (“anterior”) to the back (“posterior”).
What causes a SLAP tear?
SLAP tears can be caused by falling onto an outstretched hand, quickly lifting a heavy object or from a forceful, overhead arm motion during sports or work activity. More often, however, they result from repetitive stress on the shoulder which, over time, wears down the shoulder labrum.
What are the symptoms of SLAP tear?
SLAP tears can cause pain and range-of-motion problems in the shoulder labrum, the biceps tendon or both. Common symptoms of a SLAP tear include:
How is SLAP tear diagnosed?
Diagnosing a SLAP tear is challenging, especially since they often occur in conjunction with other injuries to soft tissues of the shoulder and upper arm. A sports medicine physician will review your medical history, symptoms and the circumstances under which your injury occurred.
How is a SLAP tear treated?
SLAP tears may be treated nonsurgically or surgically, depending on the patient’s individual condition. Conservative, nonsurgical treatments including rest and physical therapy are usually tried first, except in severe cases.
How successful is SLAP tear surgery?
SLAP repair in athletes who perform frequent overarm movements have shown mixed results. This surgery is more successful in patients under age 40, but remains the treatment of choice for high-level overhead athletes. Older patients are more likely to have better outcomes from biceps tenodesis or tenotomy.
What is the recovery time for SLAP tear surgery?
While the surgery is typically done arthroscopically as an outpatient (meaning patients go home the same day), the recovery is the hard part. Most patients are in a sling for six weeks then get more aggressive in physical therapy to work on stretching and strengthening.
How to tell if you have a slap tear?
SLAP Tear Symptoms. The most common SLAP tear symptoms are: Pain: with shoulder movements or when lifting things above the head. It tends to be a dull ache, rather than a sharp pain. Weakness: decreased strength in the upper arm. Instability: it may feel as if the shoulder is going to “pop-out”.
Where does a slap tear occur?
What Is A SLAP Tear? A SLAP tear occurs in the glenohumeral joint. This is where the top part of the arm bone (the head of humerus), which is shaped like a ball, fits in a socket on the front of the shoulder blade (glenoid fossa). The shoulder socket is very shallow, similar to a golf tee, to allow for lots of movement.
What is Bankart lesion?
A Bankart lesion is commonly associated with shoulder dislocations and is where the bottom part of the labrum get torn. There tends to be more shoulder instability associated with it than with SLAP tears - you can find out more in the Bankart Lesion section.
How to tell if glenoid labrum is injured?
The glenoid labrum is most commonly injured by a fall or from repetitive overhead movements, such as racket sports or throwing activities. Symptoms of a SLAP lesion include pain, weakness, instability and a catching sensation in the shoulder. Treatment usually involves medication and physical therapy, but in some cases, surgery will be advised.
What type of tear is a bucket handle?
Type 4: A bucket handle tear of the superior glenoid labrum which extends into the biceps tendon. Type 1 and type 2 SLAP tears are the most common. Slap tears can also be associated with a Bankart Lesion, where there is damage to the bottom part of the glenoid labrum, or a rotator cuff tear, damage to the shoulder muscles.
What are the different types of SLAP tear?
The four most common types of SLAP tear are: Type 1: Degeneration (wear and tear) where the edges of the labrum fray, but stay attached to the glenoid rim. Biceps tendon is unaffected. Type 2: The superior (top) part of the labrum and the biceps tendon are torn off the glenoid rim. Type 3: A bucket-handle tear of the labrum where part ...
How to treat a slap lesion?
Conservative, i.e. non surgical, treatment for a SLAP lesion will likely include: 1 Medication: pain-relief and anti-inflammatories such as naproxen and ibuprofen 2 Rest: from aggravating activities 3 Physical Therapy: exercises to regain the strength, stability and movement of the shoulder - visit the rotator cuff exercises section to find out more
How Do I Know If I Have a SLAP Tear?
All things mechanical eventually deteriorate. And, the joints of the body are no exception. In particular, the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder is especially susceptible to injury as the joint is shallow by nature. This means that the joint has a fair degree of instability, which makes it prone to dislocation.
What Causes a SLAP Tear?
Generally speaking, there are three ways for a patient to succumb to a SLAP tear injury:
What is a SLAP tear?
A SLAP tear is a specific kind of injury to your shoulder. To help make your shoulder more stable, there is a ring of firm tissue, called the labrum, around your shoulder socket. The labrum (pronounced “LAY-brum”) helps keep your arm bone in the shoulder socket.
How is a SLAP tear diagnosed?
A SLAP tear can be hard to identify, because there are so many other things that can cause shoulder pain and because SLAP tears are not common. Ways to diagnose a SLAP tear include:
How is it treated?
The first step in treatment is to see whether pain medicine and rehabilitation (“rehab”) can take care of the problem.
What else could be causing your shoulder pain?
The shoulder is a complex joint, and there are a number of other problems that can cause pain there, such as:
Symptoms
- Typical symptoms of a SLAP tear include a catching sensation and pain with shoulder movements, most often overhead activities such as throwing. Patients usually complain of pain deep within the shoulder or in the back of the shoulder joint. It is often hard to pinpoint symptoms, unless the biceps tendon is also involved. In cases of SLAP tears with associated biceps tendon…
- Throwers can have repetitive microtraumata. At the moment of the impact the glenohumeral contact point is shifted posterosuperiorly and increased shear forces are placed on the posterior-superior labrum, which results in a peel-back effect and eventually in a SLAP lesion.[4] The most common complaint in patients that present with SLAP lesions is pain. Pain is typically intermitte…
Diagnosis
- Making the diagnosis of a SLAP tear begins with a careful history of the injury. Your doctor will be listening for clues in the symptoms you experience and the cause of the symptoms, that may be indicative of a SLAP tear. There are several tests a skilled examiner can perform to detect for SLAP tears. These tests are part of a shoulder physical examination. No single, specific test ha…
- The glenoid labrum is often involved in shoulder pathology. Sometimes morphological varieties can be confused with pathological aspects and therefore diagnosis should be established following careful analysis of the case history and a physical examination.There are two regions where anatomic variants can appear: the superior region, where it’s mostly related to age, and th…
Classification
- The Type II SLAP lesions have been further divided into three subtypes depending on whether the detachment of the labrum involves the anterior aspect of the labrum alone, the posterior aspect alone, or both aspects. The above classification system has been expanded to include an additional three types:[3]
Types
- A total of four types of superior labral lesions involving the biceps anchor have been identified. Type I concerns degenerative fraying with no detachment of the biceps insertion. Type II is the most common type and represents a detachment of the superior labrum and biceps from the glenoid rim. Type III represents a bucket-handle tear of the labrum with an intact biceps tendon i…
Causes
- There are a lot of different mechanisms of injury that can result in a SLAP lesion. The following causes have been found: Falling on an outstretched arm is an acute traumatic superior compression force to the shoulder. In this situation the shoulder is abducted and slightly forward-flexed at the time of the impact.
Treatment
- Most often treatment of a SLAP tear begins with simple steps to alleviate pain and regain strength of the shoulder. Nonsurgical treatments are most often recommended for a minimum of 3 months, as many patients can return to full athletic activities with nonoperative management. In patients who fail to recover, there are surgical treatment options that can be considered, the mo…
- The surgical intervention depends on the type of labral lesion, but an advanced arthroscopic technique is most commonly used. Studies of surgical labral repairs show that they are generally good to excellent to allow the patient to return to a pre-injury level of function. Knowing the type of SLAP lesion is important for post-operative rehabilitation.[14]
Clinical Significance
- A SLAP tear is an injury to a part of the shoulder joint called the labrum. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, similar to the hip joint. However, unlike the hip joint, the socket of the shoulder joint is extremely shallow, and thus inherently unstable. This means that the shoulder is prone to dislocation, and injury that occurs when the ball comes out of the socket. To compensate for th…
- SLAP tear itself accounts for 8090% of labral pathology in stable shoulder but its only found in 6% on arthroscopy. SLAP lesions are often seen in combination with other shoulder problems and this makes it difficult to diagnose.[17]SLAP lesion is mostly combined with a lesion of the proximal head of the biceps because it attaches on the superior part of the labrum glenoidalis. I…
Results
- If one of the three tests is positive, this will result in a sensitivity of about 75%. But if all three tests are positive this will result in a specificity of about 90%.[12]
Function
- The long arm of the biceps inserts directly into the superior labrum, which also provides stabilisation to the superior part of the joint.[4][6]In addition, the rotator_Cuff muscles are essential to ensure dynamic shoulder stability as they prevent excessive translations of the humeral head at the level of the glenoid fossa.[8] It is important to keep in mind that the scapul…
Prognosis
- The area of the labrum where the SLAP tear occurs is susceptible to injury because it is an area of relatively poor vascularity. Other parts of the labrum often heal more easily because the blood supply delivers a healing capacity to the area of the tear. In the area of SLAP tears this is not the case, and chronic shoulder pain can result.