The shoulder joint is made up of various bones, muscles, and ligaments. These work together to keep everything in place and functioning. The shoulder joint consists of three bones, the scapula (shoulder blade), humerus (upper arm bone), and the clavicle (collarbone).
The head of the humerus rests in a socket in the scapula known as the glenoid or glenoid cavity, however, the glenoid is very shallow, which means the humerus can be easily dislodged if it is not held in place.
The labrum deepens the glenoid cavity by 50%, allowing the humeral head to sit securely within it.
Therefore, the head of the humerus is held in place by the labrum, which are soft fibrous tissues that help to deepen the socket, allowing the humerus to sit comfortably within. The labrum also acts as an attachment site for various ligaments.
There are 3 types of glenoid labrum tear, these are:
Superior Labrum Anterior Posterior (SLAP) lesion: occurs when the top part of the labrum is torn on both the anterior (front) and posterior (back).
Bankart lesion: occurs when the front part of the bottom of the labrum is torn.
Posterior labral tear: occurs when the back part of the labrum is torn.
Shoulder labrum tears are painful and can cause a reduction in range of motion.
What causes glenoid labrum tear?
A glenoid labrum tear, no matter the type, can be caused by:
Repetitive shoulder movements: this can result in wear and tear commonly resulting in a posterior labral tear.
Injury or trauma: shoulder dislocation, car accidents, falls, forceful movement of the shoulders, etc. can all contribute to a glenoid labrum tear.
What are the symptoms of glenoid labrum tear?
Like most shoulder injuries, a glenoid labrum tear has the following symptoms:
Shoulder pain
Limited range of motion
Popping, grinding, or locking sensation in the shoulder
Reduced shoulder strength
Feeling of shoulder instability
A glenoid labrum tear can cause shoulder pain, instability, and loss of strength.
If you notice any of the symptoms, make an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Puah KL is our Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Artisan Sports & Orthopaedic Surgery. He used to serve the sports service of Singapore General Hospital - the highest volume trauma centre for orthopaedics in Singapore.
Yes. A glenoid labrum tear can be painful especially when performing overhead or above shoulder movements such as weightlifting, reaching up high, stretching, etc.
You may also experience more pain and sensitivity in your shoulder at night.
Who is at risk of glenoid labrum tear in Singapore?
A glenoid labrum tear can happen to anyone but several factors increase an individual’s risk, these are:
Athletes: repetitive overhead movements such as weightlifting, pitching, etc. can increase the risk of a glenoid labrum tear.
Injuries: individuals who experience traumatic injuries from car accidents, falling on an outstretched arm,or falling down the stairs, are at an increased risk of a glenoid labrum tear.
Age: your risk of developing a glenoid labrum tear increases with age as our cartilage starts to become brittle and worn out.
How is glenoid labrum tear diagnosed?
Shoulder pain can point to a number of different ailments, hence to properly diagnose torn shoulder labrum, you may be required to undergo the following:
Physical examination and medication history: inform your doctor of any events that may have occurred which contributed to you developing symptoms, such as trauma, injury, exercise, or sports.
X-rays: the labrum is made up of soft fibrous tissues so they will not show up on the x-ray, however, an x-ray will be used to rule out other issues such as shoulder dislocation, etc.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): before the MRI a dye may be injected into your shoulder to highlight the labrum and make it obvious if any tears have occurred.
Arthroscopic surgery:arthroscopic surgery is used to diagnose shoulder joint issues. It works by inserting a small camera into your shoulder joint to examine the area.
An MRI can be used to diagnose a shoulder labrum tear.
What are the treatment options for glenoid labrum tear in Singapore?
A glenoid labrum tear can be treated in the following ways depending on its severity:
Physiotherapy:physiotherapy involves the use of gentle and therapeutic exercises to help restore your range of motion and to improve/increase strength.
Arthroscopy/arthroscopic surgery: a small camera or arthroscope is inserted into your shoulder joint to guide your surgeon during surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Can a shoulder labrum tear heal itself?
What happens if you don’t repair a severe shoulder labrum tear?
our process
Feeling aches and pains?
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