Labrum repair is sometimes required after a shoulder injury, or simply as a result of the natural aging process. The shoulder is an extremely shallow ball and socket joint that is inherently unstable and thus susceptible to injury. The labrum, a supportive ring of firm cartilage, helps to stabilize the shoulder joint and facilitate a wider range of motion by deepening the socket. Following trauma or overuse, the labrum can fray and tear, leading to an aching, grinding sensation in the shoulder joint. Patients in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, or other FL cities who are experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to discuss possible labrum repair with the trusted orthopaedic specialists at Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group.

Labrum repair may be necessitated by a tear that occurs either above or below the shoulder socket. The most common types of labral lesions include:

• SLAP (superior labrum, anterior to posterior) tear – Occurs at the top of the labrum, from front to back, when the biceps tendon pulls away from the shoulder socket and the labrum will not heal back to the bone. This injury is common in overhead-throwing athletes, such as tennis and baseball players, and biceps tendonitis may occur as a result of compensating for this disorder of the shoulder.
• Bankart lesion – Arises when the shoulder pops out of joint, tearing the labrum completely away from the bone. This injury makes the shoulder joint prone to future dislocation, and therefore necessitates labrum repair. Younger patients (under age 30) who have sustained a dislocated shoulder are particularly susceptible to this type of disorder.
• Posterior labral tear – Develops when the rotator cuff and labrum are pinched together at the back of the shoulder as a result of a dislocation, fall, sports activity, or muscular imbalance from repetitive overhead motion. A posterior labral tear may be completely asymptomatic and thus not require labrum repair surgery.

Contact Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group today if you’d like to discuss labrum repair in general, or if you are experiencing symptoms and would like to schedule a consultation for labrum repair with a Board-certified physician. We see patients from Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties in Florida, and beyond.