Shoulder Labral Tear: Symptoms and Treatment

Different parts of the body have been designed in such a way to be able to perform a number of countless tasks, and the shoulder joint is especially intricate. As one of the most complex joints in the body, it is held together by a network of tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue. It is the fibrocartilage that helps to stabilize the ball in the shoulder joint. If a shoulder injury occurs, the ring of cartilage within the shoulder can get damaged. This is known as a labral tear, or a SLAP tear. Shoulder labral tear symptoms can be misdiagnosed at times, since some symptoms can appear to be due to simply overworking the shoulder.

The shoulder joint has multiple ligaments and tissues. A soft tissue that offers support to the shoulder joint is called the labrum. When there is a direct hit on the shoulder joint, there are high chances for shoulder dislocation. These injuries and tears can happen very often in sportspeople. When players run with the ball and get hit, or when moving on high speed while skating, falling down can lead to a labral tear. Severe sharp pain can be one of the torn labrum shoulder symptoms.

What are the other symptoms?

If you feel pain during overhead activities, it can be due to a torn labrum shoulder symptoms. Also, you would not be able to move the shoulder with ease, and the range of motion would be decreased. Your shoulder might feel weak, and there is a popping or grinding sound in it. The shoulder becomes unstable, and the severe pain can prevent one from even getting proper sleep. The effected person also feels a sense of instability in the shoulder.

In case of a Bankart lesion tear, the shoulder falls off from the ball joint. The labral tear can occur with all types of shoulder injuries. Rotator cuff injuries, torn biceps tendons, dislocated shoulders, and other types of shoulder injuries can lead to all kinds of labral tears.

The Causes

The causes of the labral tear are varied. When one falls off with an outstretched hand, or when there is a direct hit to the shoulder, this condition occurs. After a sudden tug or hit, or other kind of trauma, you can experience a labral tear. Any resistive motion of the shoulder joint can also lead to the labral tear. The doctor usually diagnoses the level of, pain, stability, and range of motion when testing for the labral tear. You should also list the torn labrum shoulder symptoms which you suffer from. An x-ray may also be recommended by the doctor to see the condition of the shoulder joint.

Treatment Options

When the labral tear is not very severe, anti-inflammatory pills and pain relief injections are enough to deal with the pain.

The doctor might also recommend the physiotherapy sessions to increase the stability of the shoulder muscles. The postures to avoid and tasks that shouldn’t be done are listed out by the physical therapist. The severity of the condition can determine the duration of the physical therapy program. Usually, it lasts between six weeks and three months.

Lots of rest is also required to properly heal the joint.

Surgery

Shoulder arthroscopy is the minimally invasive surgical method to deal with the labral tear. A surgeon uses a small scope to get a clearer picture of the labrum and the surrounding area. This scope has a camera that provides a detailed view inside the shoulder. A monitor shows the affected area clearly to the surgeon. Guided by it, the surgeon carries on with the procedure.

The recovery is based on the severity of the torn labrum shoulder symptoms.