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Staten Island New York Injury and Accident Lawyer | SLAP Tear | Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior Tear

What is a SLAP tear?

A SLAP tear is an injury to a part of the shoulder joint called the labrum. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, similar to the hip joint. However, the shoulder joint is not as stable as the hip joint because of its size. To compensate for the size of the joint, the shoulder joint has a cuff of cartilage called a labrum that forms a cup for the end of the upper arm, or humerus, to move within the shoulder. A specific type of tear of the labrum is called a SLAP tear; this stands for Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior. The SLAP tear occurs at the point where the tendon of the biceps muscle inserts on the labrum.

How does a SLAP tear occur?
Common reasons for a SLAP tear include:

• Fall onto an outstretched hand
• Brace yourself in a car accident
• Lifting a heavy object
• Fall on your shoulder
  

The area where the SLAP tear occurs is more susceptible to a serious injury because it is an area of relatively poor blood flow. Other parts of the shoulder heal more easily because the blood flow delivers greater healing ability to the area of the tear. Because of the poor blood flow in the area of the labrum where SLAP tears occur, the shoulder does not heal and chronic shoulder pain can result.

How do you know if you have SLAP tear?
The symptoms of a SLAP tear include painful popping, catching or clicking in the shoulder. Patients usually complain of pain deep within the shoulder or in the back of the shoulder joint, especially when you reach over your head. Since shoulder pain can be caused by many different injuries, it is very difficult to diagnose a SLAP tear.

How is a SLAP tear diagnosed?

A doctor will perform many different tests to detect SLAP tears. A physical examination of the shoulder will generally lead to additional tests. SLAP tears are generally diagnosed by an MRI with contrast dye. A contrast MRI is performed by injecting gadolinium into the shoulder, which helps to highlight SLAP tears. Sometimes the only diagnosis of a SLAP tear is made when you are undergoing arthroscopic surgery.

How is a SLAP tear treated?

Usually, your doctor will prescribe medication that will help to reduce the swelling and inflammation associated with the tear. The doctor may then prescribe physical therapy to help to try and strengthen the shoulder joint. Unfortunately, for many people arthroscopic surgery is the only way to help heal the injury.