If you are experiencing some pain or instability in the shoulder while doing daily chores such as cooking, washing, exercising or even during sleeping, then it may be a tear in the specialized cartilage tissue of the shoulder known as the labrum. You must contact qualified ortho doctor in Ludhiana to diagnose your problem. But before that, read this guide to know basics about shoulder labral tear, its causes, its symptoms and how it is treated.
What is a Labrum?
A labrum is a piece of soft tissue that surrounds the ball and socket joints of your shoulder. It encircles your glenoid (a hollow in your shoulder blade) and provides stability and protection to your shoulder. Its first function is to enhance the depth of the socket, thereby ensuring the stability of the ball within it. The secondary role of the labrum is to serve as a connecting point for surrounding structures and tissues within the joint.
What is a Shoulder Labral Tear?
A shoulder labral tear is an injury to the ring of cartilage in the shoulder joint. The glenoid is the shallow, socket-like opening of the shoulder where the labrum is situated. Tears in the shoulder labrum may occur in any area surrounding the glenoid socket. Depending upon the location of the tear, there are mainly three types of labral tears which are as follows:-
- SLAP Tear:- In cases where the tear is located above the midpoint of the glenoid, it is referred to as a SLAP tear or SLAP lesion, with SLAP standing for “superior labrum, anterior to posterior,” indicating a front to back direction. This particular type of labrum tear is frequently observed in individuals who engage in activities such as tennis, baseball, and other sports involving extensive overhead arm movements. Additionally, these tears are commonly associated with concurrent damage to the biceps tendon.
- Bankart Tear:- In cases where the lower half of the glenoid socket is affected, it is referred to as a Bankart lesion or tear. Bankart tears tend to be more prevalent among younger individuals experiencing shoulder dislocations.
- Posterior Labrum Tear:– Injuries to the posterior aspect of the shoulder joint have the potential to result in a rare occurrence known as a posterior labrum tear, constituting only 5 to 10 percent of all shoulder injuries.
What are the causes of Labral Tears?
Common causes of Shoulder Labral Tears include:-
- Injury:- In the event of a slip, it is obvious that you will extend your arm to mitigate the fall or protect yourself. The resulting strain on the extended arm may lead to a labrum tear. Labrum tears can also occur during a car accident, shoulder dislocation, or any activity that places excessive tension on the arm.
- Overuse of shoulder:– Individuals who repeatedly use their shoulder to perform the same movement may risk tearing their labrum. This can occur from frequent overhead motions in the workplace or during physical activities, similar to a weightlifter repeatedly lifting a barbell.
- Trauma:– Labral tears can be caused by trauma, such as a fall or direct blow to the shoulder during sports or other similar activities. This impact may lead to a tear or detachment of the labrum from the bone. Furthermore, age-related degeneration of the labrum can also increase susceptibility to tears, as the tissues weaken and become less resilient over time.
What are the symptoms of shoulder labral tear?
You are experiencing the following symptoms if you have a tear in your shoulder:-
- Your shoulder joint may feel like catching or locking.
- Instability in the shoulder.
- Decrease range of motion.
How can a shoulder labral tear be identified?
To diagnose this condition, the ortho doctor in ludhiana will first inquire about your symptoms and medical background, conduct a physical examination, and may order imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan for a more detailed assessment of your shoulder structures.
If needed, the physician may also conduct an arthroscopic evaluation by introducing a small camera known as an arthroscope through a minor incision. This camera will provide your physician with a more comprehensive view of your labrum and any associated injuries.
Treatment options for shoulder labral tears
Treating Labral Tears requires a combination of treatments, including:
- Physical Therapy:- A customized exercise regimen can be created by a physical therapist to enhance the strength of your muscles around the shoulder joint, increase flexibility, and improve stability.
- Medicines:– Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often recommended to alleviate pain and inflammation related to labral tears. In certain instances, corticosteroid injections may be utilized.
- Rest:– Providing rest for the shoulder and immobilizing it with slings or braces can assist in alleviating discomfort and avoiding additional injury.
If other treatments don’t work, you may need surgery to repair or remove the damaged tissue.
- Arthroscopic surgery:- This minimally invasive procedure utilizes small incisions and specialized instruments to mend the torn labrum. The surgeon will secure the labrum to the bone using sutures or anchors. Arthroscopic surgery is known to yield reduced pain, quicker recovery, and smaller scars in comparison to open surgery.
- Labral debridement:- In situations where repair of the torn labrum is not feasible, a surgeon may choose to excise the affected section of the labrum. This procedure, referred to as labral debridement, is intended to mitigate symptoms and minimize the likelihood of additional harm.
- Labral reconstruction:- In certain uncommon instances of significant labral injury or unsuccessful past repairs, labral reconstruction may be deemed necessary. This process entails utilizing grafts or synthetic materials to reconstruct the labrum and reinstate stability to the shoulder joint.
Looking for a best bone specialist in ludhiana for your shoulder pain? Visit Eva Hospital where our expert Dr. Tanveer Singh Bhutani will assist you in the diagnosis and treatment of labral tears in the shoulder.
So book your consultation today.
