The SLAP tear occurs at the point where one of thetendons of the biceps muscleinserts on the labrum.
The injury is to a part of the shoulder joint called the labrum.
The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, similar to the hip joint.
Nicolas Russell / Getty Images
Essentially the labrum of the shoulder deepens the shoulder socket.
Patients usually complain of pain deep within the shoulder or in the back of the shoulder joint.
It is often hard to pinpoint symptoms unless the biceps tendon is also involved.
In competitive athletes with a SLAP tear, the symptoms may be subtle.
Diagnosis
Making the diagnosis of a SLAP tear begins with a careful history of the injury.
There are many different causes that can lead to pain in a shoulder.
There are several tests a skilled examiner can perform to detect for SLAP tears.
These tests are part of a shoulder examination.
SLAP tears tend to be seen best on MRI when the study is performed with aninjection of contrast.
Not every SLAP tear can be seen on an imaging test.
In some cases the diagnosis of a SLAP tear is made during surgery.
In patients who fail to recover, there are surgical treatment options that can be considered.
The most common of these is arthroscopic surgery.
In this case, more immediate surgery may be recommended.
This part of the cartilage, called the labrum, plays an important role in stabilizing the shoulder joint.
It is also the attachment location for one of the biceps tendons within the shoulder.
Injuries to the labrum in this location can cause pain and difficulty with overhead activities.
Injuries to the labrum in this location can be difficult to diagnose, but some tests can be helpful.
Once the injury has been diagnosed, treatment can be targeted to the specific source.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Familiari F, Huri G, Simonetta R, Mcfarland EG.SLAP lesions: current controversies.EFORT Open Rev.
2009 Oct;17(10):627-37.
