Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of SLAP lesions.
A SLAP lesion (superior labral tear) is a tear of the labrum, the ring-shaped cartilage that connects the shoulder and arm. The labrum keeps the joint stable where the shoulder and arm meet; when it tears, it can cause severe pain and even dislocation of the shoulder.
SLAP lesions are common in people who use their shoulders a lot, especially in athletes who put heavy strain on the arm, such as baseball players. The labrum can also tear when the rotator cuff becomes fibrotic.
Overuse in athletes or in jobs that use the shoulder heavily
A fibrotic rotator cuff can repeatedly rub against the labrum and tear it
With a SLAP lesion, moving the arm can be so painful that it is difficult to move at all, and the shoulder's range of motion, such as raising, reaching or rotating the arm, becomes severely limited.
Pain limits movements such as raising or reaching with the arm
Inflammation causes pain during sleep, leading to sleep problems
May be accompanied by a rotator cuff tear
SLAP lesions are not easy to diagnose, so if one is suspected, it must be confirmed by MRI. This is because they often occur together with a rotator cuff tear or other shoulder conditions, or cause similar symptoms. If MRI is not conclusive, the lesion can be confirmed by arthroscopy, and surgical treatment can be performed at the same time.
Basic treatments such as injections, medication, physical therapy and exercise therapy can bring improvement. However, if the tear has already progressed, surgery is unavoidable.
Basic physical therapy, medication, injections and exercise rehabilitation
The surgical method is determined by which of the 4 types of SLAP lesion is present
The damaged area is treated or repaired arthroscopically
