Why Your Shoulder Pain Won't Go Away #shoulderhealth #wellness
Description: SLAP Tear Explained: When the Best Fix Is Not Fixing the Tear
Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint, but the socket (glenoid) is remarkably shallow. A rim of fibrocartilage called the labrum deepens it and helps keep the ball centered. At the very top of that rim, the long head of the biceps tendon is anchored into the labrum like a rope tied to a post.
A SLAP tear (Superior Labrum, Anterior to Posterior) occurs when that top portion of the labrum peels away from the bone, often taking the biceps anchor with it. It can follow a fall on an outstretched arm or a sudden heavy lift, but many develop gradually from repetitive overhead activity like throwing, racquet sports, or weightlifting. Common symptoms include:
- Deep, vague shoulder pain, often worse overhead
- Clicking, popping, or catching with movement
- Pain at the front of the shoulder near the biceps
- Weakness, fatigue, or lost throwing velocity
Because SLAP tears often coexist with rotator cuff and biceps pathology, a careful exam and MRI are key. Most patients improve with rest, activity modification, and focused physical therapy. When they do not, surgical options include:
- SLAP repair: arthroscopically reattaching the labrum to the glenoid with small suture anchors, generally favored in younger overhead athletes.
- Biceps tenodesis: releasing the biceps from the labrum and anchoring it lower on the humerus, removing the painful pull on the torn rim while preserving function. After about age 40, this is often the approach we choose.
- Biceps tenotomy: releasing the tendon alone, an option for select patients.
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𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗘, 𝗠𝗗 | Orthopedic Surgeon · Franklin/Nashville, Tennessee
🌐 https://corycalendinemd.com
📅 Free joint replacement guide: https://corycalendinemd.com/free-joint-replacement-guide/
🌐 See Dr. Calendine in your Google & AI search results: https://corycalendinemd.com/preferred
📍 Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee · 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
📞 (615) 791-2630
About Dr. Cory Calendine, MD - 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
In the operating room, I get to perform more than 700 hip & knee replacement surgeries each year. From LIVE surgical demos to viral video highlights, together let's explore - react - discuss all things related to bone and joint health. #orthopedicsurgeon #jointreplacement
THANK YOU for your comments, questions and suggestions. If there’s a medical topic or question you want me to discuss, please comment below. We are building a library of orthopedic medical video content focused on your requests and responses.
📽️ Watch latest hip & knee surgery videos ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtuCgnGoZNPFvJ2EzRZNHgw/videos
𝐋𝐄𝐓'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓:
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𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐒:
Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information in this video is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and/or treatment. All content [images, digital graphics, text, and other information] contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace or substitute for a consultation with a qualified physician or health professional. Close description
Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint, but the socket (glenoid) is remarkably shallow. A rim of fibrocartilage called the labrum deepens it and helps keep the ball centered. At the very top of that rim, the long head of the biceps tendon is anchored into the labrum like a rope tied to a post.
A SLAP tear (Superior Labrum, Anterior to Posterior) occurs when that top portion of the labrum peels away from the bone, often taking the biceps anchor with it. It can follow a fall on an outstretched arm or a sudden heavy lift, but many develop gradually from repetitive overhead activity like throwing, racquet sports, or weightlifting. Common symptoms include:
- Deep, vague shoulder pain, often worse overhead
- Clicking, popping, or catching with movement
- Pain at the front of the shoulder near the biceps
- Weakness, fatigue, or lost throwing velocity
Because SLAP tears often coexist with rotator cuff and biceps pathology, a careful exam and MRI are key. Most patients improve with rest, activity modification, and focused physical therapy. When they do not, surgical options include:
- SLAP repair: arthroscopically reattaching the labrum to the glenoid with small suture anchors, generally favored in younger overhead athletes.
- Biceps tenodesis: releasing the biceps from the labrum and anchoring it lower on the humerus, removing the painful pull on the torn rim while preserving function. After about age 40, this is often the approach we choose.
- Biceps tenotomy: releasing the tendon alone, an option for select patients.
SHARE your #shoulderpain experience & insights
.
📲 SUBSCRIBE NOW for new #surgery videos
𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗘, 𝗠𝗗 | Orthopedic Surgeon · Franklin/Nashville, Tennessee
🌐 https://corycalendinemd.com
📅 Free joint replacement guide: https://corycalendinemd.com/free-joint-replacement-guide/
🌐 See Dr. Calendine in your Google & AI search results: https://corycalendinemd.com/preferred
📍 Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee · 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
📞 (615) 791-2630
About Dr. Cory Calendine, MD - 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
In the operating room, I get to perform more than 700 hip & knee replacement surgeries each year. From LIVE surgical demos to viral video highlights, together let's explore - react - discuss all things related to bone and joint health. #orthopedicsurgeon #jointreplacement
THANK YOU for your comments, questions and suggestions. If there’s a medical topic or question you want me to discuss, please comment below. We are building a library of orthopedic medical video content focused on your requests and responses.
📽️ Watch latest hip & knee surgery videos ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtuCgnGoZNPFvJ2EzRZNHgw/videos
𝐋𝐄𝐓'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓:
TikTok ▶️ https://www.tiktok.com/@corycalendinemd
LinkTree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/corycalendinemd
𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐒:
Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information in this video is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and/or treatment. All content [images, digital graphics, text, and other information] contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace or substitute for a consultation with a qualified physician or health professional. Close description