A SLAP tear is an injury to the labrum, which is a ring of firm tissue around the shoulder socket. It keeps the arm bone stable in the shoulder socket. SLAP refers to “superior labrum from anterior to posterior.”
It means the top of the labrum from front to back, and its injury refers to a part of labrum injured or torn.
The tear occurs where the tendon of the biceps muscles insert into the labrum.
You might develop a SLAP tear if you:
- Fall off the shoulder
- Fall on the outstretched arm
- Lift heavy objects suddenly or repeatedly
- Accidents or overhead activities such as baseball throw
- This tear was first noticed in athletes, the baseball players who involve in overhead throwing.
What could be the symptoms of SLAP tear?
Typical symptoms of a SLAP tear are:
- Painful clicking, popping or catching in the shoulder
- Pain while moving your arm over your head or reaching back
- Pain while throwing the ball
- Deep and severe pain inside the shoulder
- Weakness or instability in the shoulder
Treatment
- Many patients with a SLAP tear respond to non-surgical treatments.
- Resting the shoulder will relieve inflammation, and other symptoms.
- Anti-inflammatory medications help in reducing the inflammation and swelling, and also relieves pain.
- Ice and hot compresses also reduces inflammation and swelling.
- Cortisone injections also reduce inflammation, pain and offer temporary relief.
- Physiotherapy aids muscle endurance and restores motion.
- For some people, surgical interventions are considered. The common surgery is arthroscopic SLAP tear.
