The shoulder labrum is a strong and thick piece of tissue that is connected to the rim of the shoulder socket, which functions to secure the ball of the joint in its proper position. The arm bone which is called Humerus creates a ball at the shoulder, joining with the socket in the shoulder blade. Ligaments, strong tissues like tethers, connect these two bones and maintain their relationship. But there are times when a tear can disrupt the harmony of the musculoskeletal system. When the labrum tears it can cause extreme discomfort and impairment, affecting people at various ages and stopping them from performing any physical activities. 

A Labrum tear can be of 3 types. Firstly, the Anteroinferior Labrum tear. It is usually associated with shoulder dislocation. This kind of injury usually needs surgical repair, if not patient might experience episodes of recurrent shoulder dislocation.

The second case is a Posterior Labrum tear, which might be asymptomatic and is associated with pain or activities. If the pain persists for a significant duration of time or if it is associated with weakness in the shoulder line, then surgery is needed.

The third type is the superior labrum tears or slap tears, which require surgery if the labrum is detached from the socket and causes pain and difficulty in physical activities.

Causes of Labrum Tear

A Labrum tear can be the result of a sudden and traumatic injury or the impact of repetitive motion in the upper arm. Few other reasons that cause the tear are:

A fall on an outstretched arm

A hard direct hit to the shoulder

A quick pull on the arm.

A strong hit while reaching overhead.

The Diagnosis of a Torn Shoulder

The doctor will test a few things like the movement of the shoulder or arm, understand the stability and the severity of the pain. When addressing your concern, make sure to tell the doctor about the cause of pain. 

Labrum tissue doesn't appear on X-rays because they're very soft. The doctor might still consider an X-ray to check for other injuries that might cause the pain. To assess labrum damage, a CT scan or MRI scan may be recommended.

The doctor might even consider an arthroscopic examination. It involves the insertion of a tiny camera called an arthroscope which is inserted through a small cut. The visuals will give a clear picture of the labrum and the injuries to it. 

Symptoms of Labrum Tear

Labrum tear symptoms can resemble those of other shoulder injuries, like rotator cuff tears, but there lies a key difference when it comes to labrum tear. When the labrum is torn, it directly affects shoulder stability. Following are some of the symptoms:

Poor stability - The shoulder is more likely to feel loose and more unstable. 

There's a potential for dislocation. A torn labrum often produces 

Distinct popping sensation in the shoulder during movement, followed by deep pain or lingering ache. 

Treatment for Labrum Tear

If a Labrum Tear doesn’t improve surgery may be needed. The treatment of labrum tear depends upon the severity of the injury.

An injury of a minor grade might heal with rest, lifestyle modifications, medications and physio.

Labrum tears of severe grade might need surgery. The surgery is usually keyhole surgery or arthroscopic surgery where an operative camera is inserted,

which is a minimally invasive procedure done to repair the torn labrum.

Dr. Banarji, a shoulder specialist, assures that the surgery for a torn labrum typically proceeds without major complications. Physiotherapy is best recommended post operative surgery. 

Physiotherapy itself won't directly heal a torn labrum. However, it can assist in restoring mobility.

 Post surgery, your physical therapist will create a tailored treatment plan according to your needs and goals, guiding you to safely resume your daily activities. 

The expected recovery period for a torn labrum is approximately 2-3 months. To be precise, non-surgical treatments are more appropriate for older people who do not engage in high-end physical activities. While young people like athletes would require surgery.

CONTACT US 

Dr. Banarji Shoulder Center

3/4, 8th Main (Water Tank Road), CHBS Layout, Vijayanagar, Bangalore - 560 040.
Emergency: 9731274396

Appointment Mob:7760659606,  +91 78297 23606

Email:drbanarji@orthobangalore.com