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SLAP Tears, Sports Medicine

Marjorie Delo, MD, CAQSM, RMSK Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Superior labrum anterior-to-posterior (SLAP) tears are a type of tear of the fibrocartilaginous glenoid labrum.

  • The glenoid labrum deepens the bony socket providing stability to the g...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Typical complaint is deep shoulder pain with a decrease in sports performance.

  • Symptoms intensify with lifting overhead or in the cocking position.

  • Mechanical symptoms may be present li...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Stable labral tears without mechanical symptoms may be successfully treated nonoperatively with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy.

  • Therapy sho...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • After surgical repair, time is needed for healing and recovery prior to the reinitiation of physical therapy.

  • A throwing program can usually start within 3 to 4 mo...

REFERENCES

1
Fedoriw WW, Ramkumar P, McCulloch PC, et al. Return to play after treatment of superior labral tears in professional baseball players. Am J Sports Med.  2014;42(5):1155–1160.
2
Gismervi...

ADDITIONAL READING

Somerville LE, Willits K, Johnson AM, et al. Clinical assessment of physical examination maneuvers for superior labral anterior to posterior lesions. Surg J (N Y).  2017;3(4):e...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • SLAP tears are injuries to the superior labrum biceps tendon complex.

  • Type II tears are the most common and are seen in overhead or throwing athletes.

  • MR arthrogram is the diagnostic stu...

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