Shoulder Labral Tear Treatment

Shoulder Labral Tear Treatment Near You in New Jersey

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, looseness, or locking sensations, you may have a labral tear. For fast access to high-quality treatment, trust Interventional Spine & Surgery Group. Our multidisciplinary practice provides patient-centered care near you in central and northern New Jersey. Learn more about shoulder labral tears, the treatment options available, and what to expect during your recovery.

Key Takeaways

A shoulder labral tear occurs when the ring of cartilage in the shoulder socket partially or completely tears.
Symptoms of a shoulder labral tear include deep pain, instability, catching or locking sensations, and clicking or popping sounds.
To diagnose a shoulder labral tear, a physical exam, diagnostic tests, and imaging scans are used.
Shoulder labral tear treatment options include rest and activity modification, medication, joint injections, physical therapy, and surgery.
Interventional Spine & Surgery Group provides patient-centered shoulder labral tear treatment in central and northern New Jersey.

How Is the Shoulder Structured?

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that connects the upper arm bone (humerus) with the shoulder blade. They are connected by ligaments and contain cartilage that enables smooth movement. One type of cartilage is called the labrum. This ring of cartilage is attached to the rim of the shoulder socket to keep the ball of the joint in place.

What Is a Shoulder Labral Tear?

A shoulder labral tear occurs when the ring of the cartilage tears, either completely off the bone or on the edge of the labrum. A labral tear can also occur where the biceps tendon attaches to the upper end of the socket. It’s important to determine what type of labral tear you have to ensure you get the most appropriate treatment.

What Causes Shoulder Labral Tears?

A shoulder labral tear is typically the result of one of two causes: acute trauma or repetitive stress/overuse. In younger, active adults, sudden trauma is often the cause of labral tears. This can include a fall on an outstretched arm, a direct blow to the shoulder, a forceful pull, or a shoulder dislocation.

Another common cause of labral tears is repetitive stress or overuse. This can be due to participation in sports or jobs that require overhead lifting or reaching. As people age, their cartilage naturally wears down, which can make the labrum more likely to tear from these activities, especially in those over age 40.

There are certain risk factors and activities that can make a person more likely to experience a shoulder labral tear, including:

Participating in sports that include overhead movements, such as tennis, baseball, basketball, swimming, and weight-lifting
Being over age 40, as the cartilage starts to naturally degenerate
Having joint instability or naturally loose ligaments
Using poor training mechanics

These factors don’t necessarily mean a person will experience a labrum tear, but they can increase their risk.

What Are Signs and Symptoms of a Shoulder Labral Tear?

Early warning signs of a shoulder labral tear include:

Deep, aching pain that is localized inside the joint
Sharp pain when reaching overhead or behind your back
Clicking or popping sounds
A loose or weak feeling in the joint
A catching or locking sensation during movement

If you experience a loud pop or a tearing feeling, see a visible deformity, or can’t move your shoulder, you should get evaluated quickly to prevent worsening damage. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience shoulder pain with chest discomfort or shortness of breath, which may indicate a heart- related emergency.

How Are Shoulder Labral Tears Diagnosed?

Patients who are experiencing shoulder symptoms will need to undergo a diagnostic process to determine the cause. It generally includes:

Physical exam: The doctor will review your medical history and ask about your job, sports participation, and any prior injuries. They will also examine your shoulder to assess your mobility, strength, and any visible signs like swelling or bruising.
Diagnostic tests: If the doctor suspects a labral tear, they will perform diagnostic tests that manipulate your shoulder in certain ways that stress the labrum. These include the O’Brien test, the clunk test, and the labral tension test. They can help indicate whether a tear is the likely cause of the pain.
Imaging scans: To confirm a tear, imaging scans, typically a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) arthrogram, are used to visualize the interior of the shoulder joint. An MRI arthrogram uses contrast dye injected into the joint space, followed by an MRI, to highlight tears and cartilage damage.

Through the physical exam, diagnostic tests, and imaging scans, the doctor can confirm or rule out the diagnosis of a labral tear.

What Are the Treatment Options for Shoulder Labral Tears?

The treatment for a shoulder labral tear will vary based on the severity of the tear, but it can range from conservative, non-surgical methods to surgery. Almost all patients start with conservative care, especially when the main symptom is mild pain rather than instability. Treatment options include:

Rest and activity modification: Doctors often recommend modifying your activity, which can include resting the shoulder joint, avoiding overhead reaching and heavy lifting, and taking a break from sports such as swimming, tennis, and weight-lifting.
Medication: Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to reduce pain and swelling while you’re healing.
Injections: Targeted corticosteroid injections may be used to help with pain and inflammation if other conservative methods don’t provide sufficient relief. Some doctors may recommend platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to support tissue healing and reduce inflammation.
Physical therapy: Physical therapy is essential after a labral tear to rebuild strength, restore stability, and improve mobility. It uses targeted exercises that strengthen the rotator cuff and back muscles to reduce strain on the labrum, helping to prevent re-injury.

Surgical treatment may be recommended if a patient doesn’t get effective symptom relief after three to six months of conservative treatments, or if the tear causes significant instability. The most common procedure is called shoulder arthroscopy, a minimally invasive approach that uses specialized instruments and a camera to trim frayed cartilage or reattach the torn labrum to the bone socket. Your doctor will discuss all your treatment options with you to determine the best fit for your injury.

What Is Recovery Like After Shoulder Labral Tear Treatment?

The length and complexity of recovery after a shoulder labral tear depend on the severity and type of tear and the treatment you receive. However, it often ranges from four to nine months, with patients who receive non-surgical treatment on the shorter end of the spectrum. Recovery often includes:

Sling use: Wearing a sling or immobilizer is important after labral tear treatment to help protect the joint. The length of time you need to wear the sling will depend on whether you had surgery.
Pain management: Some bruising and swelling are common after shoulder labral tear treatment. To manage pain and inflammation, you can take over-the-counter pain medications and apply ice.
Physical therapy: Physical therapy is a main aspect of recovery, especially if you get surgery. You will have sessions two or three times a week, which focus on the gradual progression of exercises as you rebuild strength and mobility.

You can begin to resume normal activities within three to six months with non-surgical treatment and six to nine months for surgical treatment. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and prevent the chance of re-injury.

Find Expert Labral Tear Treatment Near You in New Jersey

Don’t delay treatment for a suspected shoulder labral tear; get prompt treatment at Interventional
Spine & Surgery Group. Our multidisciplinary medical team includes orthopedic surgeons, physical
therapists, pain management specialists, chiropractors, and more who collaborate to provide high-
quality care. Orthopedic surgeries are performed by Dr. Sean Lager, a board-certified orthopedic
surgeon with extensive experience with minimally invasive procedures, including shoulder arthroscopy.

Don’t delay treatment for a suspected shoulder labral tear; get prompt treatment at Interventional Spine & Surgery Group. Our multidisciplinary medical team includes orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, pain management specialists, chiropractors, and more who collaborate to provide high-quality care. We have nine convenient locations throughout central and northern New Jersey, and same-day or next-day appointments are often available. At Interventional Spine & Surgery Group, we can see you now, we care, and we’ll help you get better. To schedule an appointment near you in New Jersey or to learn more about shoulder labral tear treatment, contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Labral Tears

What are the most common causes of a shoulder labral tear?

The most common causes of a shoulder labral tear are acute injuries and repetitive stress/overuse.

How is a shoulder labral tear diagnosed?

A shoulder labral tear is diagnosed with a combination of a physical exam, diagnostic tests like the O’Brien test to assess range of motion and muscle strength, and imaging scans.

Will a shoulder labral tear heal without surgery?

It depends on the severity of the tear. Minor tears may heal without surgery through rest and physical therapy.

What non-surgical treatments are available for a shoulder labral tear?

Non-surgical treatments for a shoulder labral tear include rest and activity modification, medication, joint injections, and physical therapy.

When is surgery recommended for a shoulder labral tear?

Surgery is recommended for a shoulder labral tear when it causes significant instability or when the patient hasn’t seen relief from three to six months of conservative treatment.

How long does recovery from a shoulder labral tear usually take?

It varies based on the severity of the tear, the type of tear, and which treatment you receive, but it typically takes anywhere from four to nine months.

When can someone return to work, exercise, or sports after a shoulder labral tear?

If the patient has received non-surgical treatment, they can typically return to daily activities within three to six months. For patients who have surgery, it can take around six to nine months.

What happens if a shoulder labral tear is left untreated?

If a shoulder labral tear is left untreated, it can result in chronic pain, worsening joint instability, and a significant reduction in mobility.