SLAP Repair

labrum, the soft tissue that surrounds the shoulder socket. Tears may occur after a sudden injury or with wear and tear over time – especially in overhead athletes, such as throwers, or volleyball and tennis players.

Most people with SLAP tears have pain when the arm is overhead. This is especially common in throwers during the cocking or acceleration phase or during the serve in tennis or volleyball. Athletes may also feel a painful popping or clicking in the top or front of the shoulder.

SLAP tears are diagnosed with a detailed interview and examination with your sports medicine physician. An MRI is often used to verify the diagnosis. It is important to note that after age 40, degenerative SLAP tears, or fraying of the superior labrum, are very common. These tend not to cause severe symptoms and generally do not require treatment.

Treatment of SLAP tears is very individual and depends on the tear size and location as well as the athlete’s specific symptoms and activity level. Many patients will improve with a change in activity, stretching program, or physical therapy. People with persistent symptoms or a large tear will often require an arthroscopic surgery to repair the tear.