Is your shoulder pain due to SLAP Lesion?
What is a SLAP Lesion?
Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint seen in the outpatient clinics. There can be several reasons for the shoulder pain and SLAP lesion can be one of the reasons for your shoulder pain.
Shoulder joint is a ball and socket type of a joint which is highly mobile and has a shallow socket making it unstable. In case of the shoulder joint, the stability is enhanced by the glenoid labrum which is fibrous tissue attached to the rim of the glenoid which increases the size and depth of the glenoid cavity thus increasing the stability of the shoulder joint.
Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior or SLAP Lesion is the injury to the upper part of the labrum where the long head of biceps muscle inserts.
SLAP lesions are stable or unstable depending on whether the majority of the superior labrum and biceps portion are attached to the glenoid margin.
How does the SLAP lesion happen?
- Due to repetitive overhead activities like throwing as seen in javelin throw, cricket fast bowlers, etc.
- Heavy lifting
- Fall onto an outstretched hand
- Trauma (direct blow to the shoulder)
- Carrying or dropping and catching a heavy object (inferior traction)
What are the signs and symptoms of SLAP Lesion?
- Poorly localised pain
- Pain increases when a person lifts his hand above head and while taking the hand behind the back.
- Inability to sleep or lie on the affected shoulder
- Decrease in rotator cuff muscle strength and endurance
- “Dead Arm Syndrome”-Athletes have pain during throwing and can no longer throw with same kind of velocity and accuracy as they used to before the injury.
How is the SLAP lesion diagnosed?
On examination, there may be pain on palpation (tenderness to touch) in front portion of the shoulder and pain on elbow flexion against resistance as this motion loads the biceps.
After physical examination along with thorough history, if there is suspicion of SLAP lesion, MR Arthrography is the choice of investigation to diagnose SLAP lesions.
What are the treatment options?
Patient with SLAP lesion should undergo 3 to 6 months of non operative treatment which focuses on relieving pain, improving shoulder function and return to previous level of physical activity.
But if the non surgical treatment is not successful, Surgery is advocated.
When can I expect to return to normal activities or playing sport?
Return to play can be expected between 4 to 6 months after conservative or surgical repair.
Abhijeet Singh
Sports Physyiotherapist
Disclaimer: content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice. Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional/medical advice.
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