Besides a rotator cuff tear, labral tears are the other major type of shoulder injury that people can develop.
This topic has been a common concern among our clinic’s clients, and I believe it’s essential information for anyone dealing with shoulder pain or a possible labrum tear.
What is the Labrum?
The labrum is a connective tissue structure that plays a crucial role in shoulder stability. Think of it as a type of ligament that surrounds the socket of your shoulder joint. Unlike muscles and tendons that stretch, ligaments like the labrum provide stability by connecting bone to bone. In the case of the shoulder, where the socket is relatively small compared to the ball-shaped humerus, the labrum acts as a suction cup, keeping the ball securely in place.
Labral Tears: What Happens?
Labral tears often occur in specific areas, resembling positions on a clock. The two most common types are:
- SLAP Lesion: This tear occurs between 10:00 and 2:00 on the “clock.” It can lead to instability and discomfort in your shoulder.
- Bottom Tear: Tears at 6:00, or sometimes between 4:00 and 6:00 or 8:00 and 6:00, are also common and can affect your shoulder’s function.
Can Surgery Be Avoided?
Whether or not surgery is necessary depends on several factors, including your symptoms, age, activity level, and the tear’s size. For larger tears, surgery may be the recommended course of action. However, the possibility of avoiding surgery exists, even for smaller tears.
The key to avoiding surgery lies in conservative therapy, but not all therapy approaches are equal. It’s crucial to work with a skilled occupational therapist, physical therapist, or certified hand therapist experienced in shoulder and labral injuries. We will help you set clear goals and create a tailored plan.
Therapy for labral tears focuses on stabilizing the joint, avoiding overstretching, and gradually regaining motion and strength. Progress can vary from person to person, depending on factors like commitment and individual body characteristics.
Seek the Right Treatment
If you suspect a labral tear or are dealing with shoulder pain, I strongly recommend consulting with a specialized therapist who can assess your condition and guide you through a personalized plan. The progress you make during therapy should be noticeable within a few weeks.
At my clinic, our clients often have been to other therapy clinics, even have x-rays and MRI reports. They are coming here to get clear on what’s possible. I’m proud to be able to help people make decisions on whether therapy is the right path or surgery is the right path.
Avoid therapy approaches that lack a clear plan, as the wrong exercises or overstretching can hinder your recovery. Remember that conservative therapy, when done correctly, can yield excellent results, even allowing you to return to your usual activities without surgery.
You have the potential to avoid surgery for a labral tear.
Seek professional guidance, follow a tailored therapy plan, and monitor your progress. Surgery should only be considered for larger, more severe tears.
If you’re in the Miami area, feel free to reach out to us for a free consultation and to discover if our therapy services are a good fit for your needs. Click here to request a free Discovery Visit.
I hope this information empowers you to make informed decisions about your shoulder health. If you found this helpful, please consider sharing it with others facing similar shoulder problems.
Let me know if you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them for you.
Best regards,
Hoang
PS. if you or someone you know has shoulder pain too and needs help….share this with them. Grab our free shoulder pain guide – get fast and easy tips you can do right away. CLICK HERE.
Want To Know More about How You Can Avoid Surgery?
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Conclusion
If you are someone who’s suffering from a shoulder injury, a labral tear, and you want to know, can I actually avoid the surgery? I would really highly recommend you go and work with a trusted occupational therapist or physical therapist, someone who specializes in shoulder injuries, like a certified hand therapist. If you’re in the local Miami area, my name is Hoang Tran and my team and I can help you determine, you know, how severe is your tear and can you avoid surgery. The clinic is Hands-On Therapy Services, and I’ll include the link below so you can take a look and grab one of our free guides if that’s where you need to get started.
I hope this helps you feel more comfortable and more confident about the decisions that you need to make regarding how to really fully take care of your shoulders so you can live a very active and full life with no pain. It’s totally possible for you. If you like videos like this and this has really helped you, please like and consider sharing it with someone that you might know who’s going through some of similar shoulder problems.
About Hoang Tran – an expert in physical & occupational therapy
Hoang Tran is a Miami certified hand therapist , the owner of Hands-on Therapy Services and the author of the book “The Hands-On Approach”. She loves helping people with hand, neck and shoulder problems because she knows how bad and debilitating they can get if not addressed and treated properly (once and for all!).
The aim of her occupational therapy practice is to bring patients back to full functionality, without pills, injections or surgery. Occupational and Physical Therapy are both offered at Hands-On Therapy by our experienced therapists who provide a comprehensive approach to your care.
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