What is Labrum injury

Shoulder Labral Clinic

Shoulder Labral Clinic at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Our Shoulder Labral Clinic is an exclusive clinic for Labral Injury patients. It is an injury or disease specific clinic whereby tailor-made clinical services are provided by our Sports Injury Specialist who is trained and expertise in treating sports Injuries which includes Shoulder Labral Injury also.

What is Labrum?

Labrum is the cup-shaped rim of cartilage that lines and supports the ball and socket joint of the shoulder, which consist of the glenoid – the shallow shoulder socket – and the head, or ball, of the upper arm bone known as the humerus. The labrum is an important attachment site for the ligaments and supports the ball and socket joint along with the rotator cuff tendons and muscles. It helps in shoulder stability and, when torn, can lead to partial or complete shoulder dislocation.

Labral tear

When the normal cartilaginous labrum gets injured or torn it’s called “Labral Tear”. It is one of the commonest shoulder injury (1.7% annual rate in general population). Individuals who participate in fitness activities, exercise and sports (contact as well as non-contact) are more likely to injure their labrum. Certain individuals could also sustain labral injury from fall or accidents.

Types of Labral Tear:

The two most common types of labral tear or injuries are Bankart tear & SLAP (Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior) tear.

Bankart Tear: Bankart tear occurs with shoulder dislocation when the head of the humerus either shifts toward the front of the body, (anterior), or the back of the body (posterior).

SLAP Tear: SLAP tears occur at the front of the upper arm where the biceps tendon connects to the shoulder.

Signs and symptoms of Labral injury:

• Pain and difficulty performing normal shoulder movements
• Feels apprehension that the shoulder may slip out of place or dislocate in certain positions
• Loss of range of motion
• Mechanical symptoms of popping and clicking