Labral tear

What is a Labral Tear?

A labral tear refers to damage to the labrum, a ring of cartilage surrounding the shoulder socket that stabilises the joint.

Types of Labral Tears:

SLAP Tear (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior): Involves the top part of the labrum, where the biceps tendon attaches. Common in overhead sports and from falling on an outstretched arm.
Bankart Lesion: A tear of the lower part of the labrum, often occurring with shoulder dislocations, leading to joint instability.
Posterior Labral Tear: Located at the back of the shoulder, usually caused by repetitive motion or trauma, like a fall.

Mechanism of Injury:

Labral tears typically result from acute trauma, such as a fall or sudden force, or from repetitive shoulder motions, particularly in athletes. These injuries often lead to pain, instability, and decreased shoulder function.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a labral tear in the shoulder can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury but commonly include:

Pain: Often deep in the shoulder, especially with overhead movements or lifting.
Clicking or Popping: Sensation of the shoulder catching, locking, or grinding during movement.
Weakness: Reduced strength in the shoulder, particularly when lifting or reaching.
Instability: Feeling as if the shoulder might dislocate or give way.
Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty moving the shoulder freely or fully.

These symptoms can affect daily activities and sports performance, prompting the need for medical evaluation.

Treatment

Treatment for a labral tear typically begins with conservative (non-surgical) methods:

Immediate Treatment:

Rest and Activity Modification: Avoid activities that worsen symptoms.
Ice: Apply to reduce pain and inflammation.
Pain Relief: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.

Clinical Treatment:

therapy: Focuses on strengthening the shoulder muscles, improving stability, and restoring range of motion. Specific exercises target the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles to support the joint.
Manual Therapy: Techniques such as joint mobilisation and soft tissue massage can alleviate pain and improve shoulder function.
Corticosteroid Injections: In some cases, injections may be used to reduce inflammation and pain.

Surgical Treatment:

If conservative treatments fail, surgery may be necessary. This often involves arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn labrum, particularly in cases of significant instability or persistent symptoms.

After surgery, rehabilitation in the clinic will include a structured physiotherapy programme to gradually restore strength and function.