The shoulder labrum is a piece of soft cartilage in the socket-shaped joint in your shoulder bone. It essentially deepens the socket, creating a suction seal of the joint and connects the two joints. A group of four muscles called the rotator cuff helps the labrum keep the ball in the socket. This allows your upper arm to rotate. Repetitive motion and injuries can tear the labrum, often causing pain. Dr. Austin Chen, Orthopedic shoulder specialist works with patients to repair labral injuries, and getting them back to their normal physical activities.
What is a labral repair surgery?
Dr. Austin Chen uses a minimally invasive arthroscopic technique to repair labral tears. There are a few ways in which the labrum is repaired based on the nature of the tear. If the tear is unstable with detachment of the labrum from the socket of the shoulder, Dr. Chen will reattach the labrum back to the shoulder socket. If the labral tear occurs on the biceps tendon, also known as a SLAP lesion, or extends into the biceps, the labral tear will be repaired and reattached. If it is a tear without detachment, Dr. Chen may simply shave the torn flap of tissue away from the intact labral tissue. In more severe cases where the tear is also associated with shoulder instability and dislocations, Dr. Chen will tighten the shoulder ligaments and the capsule.
What is the recovery of a labral repair surgery?
After surgery, you will most likely head home. Dr. Austin Chen will then suggest wearing a sling for three to four weeks. He will then prescribe exercises and a physical therapy regime to follow in order to restore strength and mobility. Physical therapy can be completed through the Boulder Centre for Orthopedics Physical Therapy Center, which offers all patients complete and seamless recovery care. Typically normal physical activity can be resumed eight to twelve weeks after surgery, but may take up to four months for the shoulder to fully heal.
