SLAP tears is superior labrum, anterior and posterior lesions of the glenoid labrum, usually associated with overhead sports activities and injuries around the shoulder joint. Patients present with pain assosiated with overhead activities, difficulty in throwing, lifting weights and weakness of overhead sports-related activities like badminton, tennis, swimming, basketball, boxing, throwing etc.
Conservative or non-operative measures include rest, avoidance of strenuous activities, injections, over-the-counter medications, and physical therapy, focusing on restoring motion and strength in the arm.
But, sometimes the non-surgical methods fail to yield the expected outcomes. In such a situation, SLAP tear surgery is the last orthopaedic treatment option.
To heal the damaged labrum, the surgeon uses a rasp and shaver to repair the torn section and securely attaches to your shoulder socket. Finally, they stitch the repaired labrum to the anchor suture, ensuring the labrum lies flat against the shoulder socket and causes no discomfort post-operation. After the surgery, you will use an arm sling or arm immobilizer in conjunction with physical therapy to ensure optimal recovery and prevent the risk of the disease reversal.
Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior or SLAP tear is the injury that occurs in the labrum of the shoulder, which is a cartilage ring surrounding the socket of the shoulder joint. The top part of the labrum, where the biceps tendon attaches to the labrum, is damaged which can also lead to the bicep tendon’s injury.
Patients with torn SLAP can experience pain when the shoulder is moved, or lifting heavy objects and a dull throbbing pain while doing even simple chores. The patient might feel as if the shoulder is popping out of the joint, decreased range of motion and shoulder strength.
Classification of SLAP tears ;
Treatment
The doctors will initially start treating the patient using non-surgical methods before opting for surgical methods.
Non-Surgical Treatment
This is the initial treatment opted for by most doctors and they include:
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medication: like ibuprofen and naproxen will help in reducing pain and swelling.
- Physical Therapy: includes specific exercises to restore movement and for shoulder strengthening. Strengthening of the shoulder muscles will help support the shoulder and relieve the pain and prevent further injury. This might last for 3 to 6 months with a qualified physical therapist.
Surgical Treatment
The doctor will recommend surgical treatment if non-surgical treatment proves ineffective in relieving pain. The SLAP tear is usually treated using Arthroscopy or keyhole surgery.
Arthroscopy
This surgical procedure involves in making tiny incisions to insert tiny camera called arthroscope to view the inside of the shoulder and the surgeon uses this camera to guide tiny specialized instruments to the damaged area and perform repairs.
There are different types of SLAP tears and different repair options are employed to repair the specific type of tear. The age of the patient, their activity level and other injuries are also considered as factors for the best repair option.
Post – Surgery
The repair has to be protected till the healing of the labrum is over. The patient will be prescribed a sling for keeping the arm still and restrict any movement and the time period is decided by the extent of the injury.
The doctor will start physical therapy once the initial pain and swelling subsides. This therapy will focus on flexibility a
