Shoulder

Glenoid Labrum Tear

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Until the final diagnosis is made, your physician may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and rest to relieve symptoms. Rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles also may be recommended. If these conservative measures are insufficient, your physician may recommend arthroscopic surgery. An arthroscope is a miniature television camera on the end of a flexible tube that can be inserted directly into the joint through a tiny incision. The surgeon uses the broadcast images to guide his movement of miniature instruments, also inserted through tiny incisions. Because this type of surgery doesn't require a large incision, recovery time is much shorter.

During the surgery, the doctor will examine the rim and the biceps tendon. If the injury is confined to the rim itself, without involving the tendon, the shoulder is still stable. The surgeon will remove the torn flap and correct any other associated problems. If the tear extends into the biceps tendon or if the tendon is detached, the result is an unstable joint. The surgeon will need to repair and reattach the tendon using absorbable tacks, wires or sutures.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007