SLAP Tear
What is a SLAP Tear?
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made up of three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collarbone). The head of the humerus fits into a round socket in the shoulder blade known as the glenoid. Surrounding the glenoid is a ring of tough, fibrous tissue called the labrum, which provides additional depth and stability to the shoulder joint. The biceps tendon, a key stabilizer of the shoulder, attaches at the top of the glenoid, in the area where SLAP tears occur.
A Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) tear is an injury to the labrum of the shoulder, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint. This particular type of labral tear occurs where the biceps tendon attaches to the labrum.
The labrum and the biceps tendon play crucial roles in the overall function of the shoulder. The labrum deepens the socket of the shoulder joint, providing added stability, while the biceps tendon assists with arm rotation and maintaining stability during certain arm movements. A SLAP tear can disrupt these functions, leading to a variety of shoulder symptoms.
As a fellowship trained shoulder surgeon, Dr. Ben Mayo has expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of SLAP tears. Dr. Mayo offers comprehensive care to patients in the Detroit area with shoulder pain. If you are in need of an orthopedic shoulder surgeon, contact Dr. Ben Mayo and his team today to be seen at one of his offices in Livonia or Sterling Heights.
SLAP tears can occur from acute traumas, repetitive shoulder motion, or the wear and tear of aging. Acute traumas can include events like falling onto an outstretched hand, a direct blow to the shoulder, a sudden pull, such as when lifting a heavy object, or a rapid overhead movement. Athletes participating in sports involving overhead throwing (such as baseball or softball) or contact sports (like football or rugby) are at higher risk. Furthermore, the labrum can become more brittle with age, making it more susceptible to tears.
At the time of the injury, a person may experience a sharp pain. In the days following, the shoulder may feel achy and uncomfortable, particularly when moving the arm overhead or across the body. Common symptoms include:
- Pain at the top of the shoulder or down the arm
- A catching or locking sensation in the shoulder
- Weakness, especially when trying to lift objects
- Decreased range of motion
- Feelings of instability in the shoulder
A SLAP tear is diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination, patient history, and imaging tests. During the physical examination, specific maneuvers that stress the labrum may reproduce symptoms and suggest a SLAP tear.
Imaging tests such as MRI and MR arthrography (where a contrast dye is injected into the shoulder joint before an MRI) can also be used. However, these tests may not always show a SLAP tear clearly, and the ultimate diagnosis is often made during arthroscopic surgery.
There are four types of SLAP tears, classified by the extent and location of the tear:
- Type I: The labrum is frayed but the biceps tendon is intact.
- Type II: The labrum and the biceps tendon are detached from the glenoid.
- Type III: A bucket-handle tear of the labrum with an intact biceps tendon.
- Type IV: A bucket-handle tear of the labrum that extends into the biceps tendon.
Type II is the most common type of SLAP tear, and it is usually the type that requires surgical intervention.
Some SLAP tears, particularly those of type I, can heal on their own with proper conservative treatment, such as rest, physical therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. However, more severe types, such as type II, III, and IV, often require surgical intervention for optimal recovery.
Schedule a shoulder consultation
Dr. Ben Mayo is a fellowship trained shoulder surgeon who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex shoulder problems such as SLAP tears. Dr. Mayo is regarded as one of the best shoulder surgeons in Michigan, and delivers tailored care that suits your needs, helping you return to your sport, your job, or your everyday activities as quickly and safely as possible. Dr. Mayo is conveniently located with clinics in Sterling Heights and Livonia to serve the nearby communities such as Troy, Canton, Macomb, Farmington Hills, Novi, and Royal Oak. If you are having shoulder pain from a SLAP tear, contact Dr. Mayo to schedule a consultation today.
At a Glance
Ben Mayo, MD
- Fellowship Trained Sports Surgeon
- Specializes in Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, & Knee Surgery
- Published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and 10 book chapters
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