Labrum tears are painful tears to the labrum tissue in the shoulder. The labrum supports the ball-and-socket shoulder joint, muscles, and rotator cuff tendons with shoulder ligaments.
When a labrum tear occurs, it limits the support and stability the labrum can provide to the shoulder. Labrum tears (SLAP or Bankart) cause a feeling of instability and can be accompanied by a grinding or locking sensation.
- Superior labrum from anterior to posterior (or "SLAP") tears impact the upper arm. SLAP tears are felt most acutely in the bicep muscle, where it attaches to the shoulder.
- Bankart tears impact the lower front quadrant of the Glenoid. These can be more common in younger patients.
Signs and Symptoms
- Pain, mainly when arms are raised or during the night
- Grinding or friction in the shoulder area
- Weakness
- Limited mobility