SLAP Tear

A SLAP tear happens when you tear the cartilage in the inner part of your shoulder joint. The tears can be caused by injury or overuse and make it painful or difficult for you to move your shoulder and arm. Left untreated, these tears can cause chronic pain, limit how much you can use your arm and shoulder, and lead to more severe shoulder problems. There is no reason to wait until a SLAP tear tears into the things you love to do when you can get the help you need at Advanced Orthopedics in Denver, Parker, and Aurora, Colorado. Their highly skilled orthopedic professionals are well-trained in the possible complexities of SLAP tears. Don’t wait to address your shoulder pain because you don’t know where to go. Now you do.

OVERVIEW

The term SLAP stands for Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior. In this injury, the top (superior) part of the labrum is injured. This top area is also where the biceps tendon attaches to the labrum. A tear occurs both in the front (anterior) and back (posterior) of this attachment point. SLAP tears or lesions vary in severity. They are common injuries among overhand athletes who make forceful arm movements, such as baseball players or tennis players. One might get a SLAP tear if they tried to break a fall with an outstretched arm or in daily activities that involve lifting things with jerking movements. A SLAP  tear can be a severe injury, no matter age or professional level. Most SLAP tears don’t happen in one day and usually result from repetitive trauma inside the shoulder. SLAP tears represent 4% to 8% of all shoulder injuries.

Read more about SLAP tears in the shoulder on our new Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a shoulder specialist today.