SLAP tear

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1 Overview
2 Symptoms
3 Treatment
4 Surgical Recovery
5 Links

[edit] Overview

Slap Tear – The shoulder joint is a very shallow ball and socket. For increased stability, the joint has a collar of cartilage called the labrum. The biceps tendon attaches to the labrum at the top of the joint. A SLAP (Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior) tear or lesion occurs when there is damage to the area of the labrum where the biceps attaches. A slap lesion, or slap tear, is a bodily injury sustained through high force, rapid abduction of the arm. The superior labral anterior and posterior (SLAP) is cartilage that connects to the glenoid bone of the shoulder. This cartilage increase the stabily of the shoulder joint. At least seven types of this injury are recognized with varying degrees of damage.

1. Degenerative fraying of the superior portion of the labrum, with the labrum remaining firmly attached to the glenoid rim

2. Separation of the superior portion of the glenoid labrum and tendon of the biceps brachii muscle from the glenoid rim

3. Bucket-handle tears of the superior portion of the labrum without involvement of the biceps brachii (long head) attachment

4. Bucket-handle tears of the superior portion of the labrum extending into the biceps tendon

5. Anteroinferior Bankart lesion that extends upward to include a separation of the biceps tendon

6. Unstable radial of flap tears associated with separation of the biceps anchor

7. Anterior extension of the SLAP lesion beneath the middle glenohumeral ligament

[edit] Symptoms

There are several symptoms that are common with this type of injury

- A dull throbbing ache in the joint. This can be brought on by very strenuous exertion or simple household chores. Sufferers notice that they turn to ice packs more frequently for relief. - Difficulty sleeping due to shoulder discomfort. The SLAP lesion decreases the stability of the joint which when combined with lying in bed causes the shoulder to drop. This in turn pulls on the muscles and ligaments causing discomfort. - For an athlete involved in a throwing sport such as baseball, pain and a catching feeling are prevalent. - Any applied force overhead or pushing directly into the shoulder can result in impingement and catching sensations.

[edit] Treatment

Very few patients with SLAP lesion injuries return to full capability without surgical intervention. Very rarely physical therapy can strengthen the supporting muscles in the shoulder joint to the point of reestablishing stability. For all other cases the choice is do nothing or have surgery to reattach the labrum to the glenoid.

While the surgery can be performed as a traditional open procedure, the recommended course of action is an arthroscopic surgery. This type of procedure is vastly less intrusive to the body and reduces chances of infection.

During the procedure the surgeon should check the general health of the shoulder joint. There are at least twenty different items of conditions that he/she should examine or look for. These include.

SLAP lesion – labrum/glenoid separation at the tendon of the biceps muscle Bankart lesion – labrum/glenoid separation at the inferior glenohumeral ligament Biceps Tendon Bone – glenoid, humerus - general surface condition Ligaments – check for tears and condition

The basic procedure is as follows.

Following inspection and determination of the extent of the injury the basic labrum repair, be it SLAP or Bankart lesion is as follows.

The glenoid and labrum and roughened to increase contact surface area and promote re-growth.

Locations for the bone anchors are selected based on number and severity of tear. A really bad tear involving SLAP and Bankart lesions may require seven anchors. Simple tears may only require one.

The glenoid is drilled for the anchor implantation.

The anchors are inserted in the glenoid.

The suture component of the implant is tied through the labrum and knotted such that the labrum is in tight contact with the glenoid surface.

[edit] Surgical Recovery

Stage one – For the first four weeks the arm is typically kept in a sling. There are some surgeons only have the patient in a sling for a week. Patients may find themselves in an immobilizer sling, which adds in a waist support to prevent movement. Needless to say, the first stage of recovery is about not stressing the repair site. This is the initial healing phase of the recovery.

Stage two – Initial physical therapy. The goal here is to increase range of motion. Load bearing through the joint should be avoided to allow the repair to complete.

Stage three – Increased range of motion and initial strength training. At this point, about eight to ten weeks out, the repair should be complete but not ready for full loading yet. Return to day to day activities, but not strenuous activity.

Stage four – completion. At about six months out the repair should be strong enough for a return to full activity.

Note that this timeline will vary according to surgeon preferences and the extent of damage.