About Labrum Tears
The labrum is a thick ring of cartilage around the socket (glenoid) part of your shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint). The labrum acts like a cup for the head of the humerus to sit in, like a ball inside a cup. The labrum gives stability to the joint and also helps to cushion as the shoulder joint moves.
The labrum can tear with injury from a blow to an outstretched arm or from repetitive injuries overhead. Sometimes, a labrum tear can be involved when the rotator cuff is torn. A common tear is called a SLAP lesion (Superior Labral Anterior-Posterior). This is a tear located at the top of the labrum from front to back. This often needs surgical repair and our physical therapists work with your surgeon and their protocol to rehabilitate your shoulder.
How physical therapy helps:
Most often, labral tears are surgically repaired and physical therapy is needed postoperatively. We work very closely with your physician to follow their protocol. Physical therapy treatment typically begins with restoration of range of motion per the protocol and progresses towards strengthening exercises. Call Bay State Physical Therapy today to find out we can help you recover!
