Shoulder Labral Tear

Shoulder labral tears are a common injury that can cause pain, weakness, and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint and helps to keep the ball of the upper arm bone securely in place. The labrum can be torn at various places through a variety of injuries.

typical causes:

It is easy to think of labral tears occurring to just athletes, but individuals of all ages and activity levels can sustain this injury. When the labrum becomes torn, it can cause significant pain, limited mobility in the shoulder, and weakness. Some common causes of labral tears include repetitive overhead activities, sports-related injuries, and falls. In some cases, certain factors such as aging and instability in the shoulder joint may also contribute to the development of a labral tear.

how physical therapy can help:

Physical therapy can be beneficial for those who are rehabilitating a shoulder labral tear conservatively or following a surgery to repair the injured tissue. Treating a labral tear conservatively looks to reduce pain, improve shoulder mobility, and restore stability of the shoulder joint with the overall goal of restoring proper function of the shoulder. For those who undergo surgery to repair a labral tear, a physical therapist works to safely restore range of motion, strength, and stability of the shoulder in a way that protects the surgical procedure. With their expertise, physical therapists can help individuals recover from a shoulder labral tear and get back to their daily activities with confidence and comfort.

Shoulder Labral Tear Causes, Treatments, & Prevention Techniques

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exercises that may help reduce pain:

The following exercises are for individuals who are treating a shoulder labral tear conservatively. Those who have undergone surgery to repair a labrum injury should work with a physical therapist to safely guide them through the rehabilitation process.

Sleeper Stretch – The Sleeper Stretch is an effective exercise for improving shoulder mobility. It is performed by lying on one’s side with your bottom arm positioned perpendicular from the body with the elbow bent to 90 degrees. While keeping your body weight on the bottom shoulder, gently push the forearm down toward the floor until you feel a stretch. Hold this for 2 minutes and you can repeat this 2-3 times a day.

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Shoulder Internal and External Rotations Isometric Walkout – This is a gentle way to load the musculature around the shoulder and address stability deficits. This exercise requires access to a resistance band.

Internal Rotation – Secure the resistance band in a doorway or around a post. Position your arm close to your body with your elbow flexed to 90 degrees. Hold the band as shown in the photo with the resistance band pulling your arm away from your body. While maintaining this arm position, take 1-2 steps away from the doorway to increase resistance of the band. Perform 10-15 reps for 2-3 sets.

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- Progression: Further challenge this movement by placing the arm in a 90/90 position (see photo below) with the resistance band pulling the hand back towards the doorway or post. Perform a shallow lunge forward to increase the tension of the band while maintaining this arm position. Perform 10-15 reps for 2-3 sets.

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External Rotation – Secure the resistance band in a doorway or around a post. Position your arm close to your body with your elbow flexed to 90 degrees. Hold the band as shown in the photo with the resistance band pulling your arm towards your body. While maintaining the position of the arm, take 1-2 steps away from the doorway to increase resistance of the band. Perform 10-15 reps for 2-3 sets.

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