Can you sprain a labrum

The problem is that the MRI may miss smaller tears and cannot reliably make the diagnosis in larger tears of the labrum. The best way to make the diagnosis of labrum tearing is with arthroscopy of the shoulder. Unfortunately this is an operative procedure and requires some form of anesthesia. Making the diagnosis also takes some experience on the part of the surgeon, since the anatomy of the inside of the shoulder can be quite complex.

The relationship between labrum tears and symptoms has not been totally figured out, so it is not clearly known which ones should be repaired and which ones can be left alone. The treatment depends upon which kind of tear there is in the labrum. Tears that are due to instability of the shoulder, either subluxation or dislocations, require that the labrum be reattached to the rim of the socket.

This can be done with an incision on the front of the shoulder, or it can be done with arthroscopic techniques through smaller incisions. There are advantages and disadvantages of each approach. At this institution we favor an open operation with an incision until arthroscopic techniques become more perfected.

However, if there is a large tear of the labrum, the torn part should either be cut out and trimmed, or it should be repaired. Which treatment is used depends upon where the tear is located and how big it is. This type of tear requiring repair without instability of the shoulder is rare. Tears of the labrum near the biceps tendon attachment SLAP lesions may be just trimmed or may need to be reattached to the top of the socket.

The best way to do this is with arthroscopic surgery since this area is difficult to reach with an open operation through a large incision. Using the arthroscope and small incisions for other instruments, the labrum can be reattached to the rim of the socket using either sutures or tacks. The recovery depends upon many factors, such as where the tear was located, how severe it was and how good the surgical repair was.

It is believed that it takes at least four to six weeks for the labrum to reattach itself to the rim of the bone, and probably another four to six weeks to get strong.

Once the labrum has healed to the rim of the bone, it should see stress very gradually so that it can gather strength. It is important not to reinjure it while it is healing.

How much motion and strengthening of the arm is allowed after surgery depends upon many factors, and it is up to the surgeon to let you know your limitations and how fast to progress. Because of the variability in the injury and the type of repair done, it is difficult to predict how soon someone can to return to sports and activities after the repair. The type of sport also is important, since contact sports have a greater chance of injuring the labrum repair. However, a vast majority of patients have full function of the shoulder after labrum repair, and most patients can return to their previous level of sports with no or few restrictions.

Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What is the labrum? What is the function of the labrum? Hip labral tears are more common in people who play certain sports or who have structural abnormalities of the hip. If conservative treatments don't help, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove or repair the torn labrum. A hip labral tear involves the ring of cartilage labrum that follows the outside rim of your hip joint socket. Besides cushioning the hip joint, the labrum acts like a rubber seal or gasket to help hold the ball at the top of your thighbone securely within your hip socket.

Athletes who participate in sports such as ice hockey, soccer, football, golf and ballet are at higher risk of developing hip labral tears. Structural abnormalities of the hip also can lead to a hip labral tear. Many hip labral tears cause no signs or symptoms. Although athletes are most prone to labral tears, people who experience a traumatic event — such as falling down a flight of stairs — are also at risk. This is especially the case in older adults, because our cartilage becomes more brittle with age.

In some cases, the labrum can heal with rest and physical therapy, depending on the severity of the tear. Surgeons will usually conduct a physical exam and order MRI or X-ray imaging, if necessary, to determine the severity of the injury and the appropriate treatment. SLAP tears are usually treated with rest, anti-inflammatory medications and, in some cases, an in-office cortisone injection.

This is followed by gradual stretching of the shoulder, initially with a physical therapist, for six weeks to two months.

If the injury is a minor Bankart tear with a dislocation, the physician or even a team coach or patient themselves can usually pop the shoulder back into place — a process called reduction — and then follow up with physical therapy to strengthen the muscles. Surgery may be required if the tear gets worse or does not improve after physical therapy.

Arthroscopic procedures , in which the doctor operates through a small incision, are usually preferred because they are less invasive than open surgery. In general, nonsurgical treatment is usually most appropriate for older patients who do not engage in regular physical activity, while younger athletes who regularly participate in higher impact sports can expect recurrence and may want to consider arthroscopic surgery. Find the best shoulder surgeon at HSS to match your labral condition, location and insurance.

Patients who undergo arthroscopic repair can expect shorter recovery times and less pain. Soft Tissues of the Shoulder. What to Know About Frozen Shoulder. You are here Blog. Diagnosing Shoulder Labral Tears Save. SLAP Tears. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Accessed December 12, Editor's Top Picks.