Tennis Injury Prevention: The Most Common Labrum Tear Sustained by Tennis Players

August 2, 2017 | By Dr. Charles Ruotolo
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The shoulder is the most mobile, but least stable joint in the body. Because it’s used repetitively by tennis players, special attention should be paid to maintaining its strength, health and function. In order to prevent injuries, it’s important that tennis players educate themselves. One of the most common injuries sustained is a SLAP tear of the soft tissue, known as the labrum that helps hold the shoulder in place.

SLAP tears
A SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior) tear is a serious injury that sidelines athletes for an extended period of time. In some cases, it can be treated with physical therapy. However, in most cases, it requires surgical intervention.

Causes
The injury usually occurs during the “early acceleration phase” of the overhand serving motion. With the arm in this position, the biceps attached to the labrum twists and peels back the labrum from the socket.

Risks for this are increased with GIRD or glenohumeral internal rotation deficit. This condition is thought to occur from repetitive microtrauma to the posterior capsule of the shoulder with thickening of the capsule and loss of shoulder internal rotation. As the labrum tears, there typically is a loud “pop” and the feeling of a dead arm.

Signs and symptoms
The following signs might be indicative of a SLAP tear:

►Locking, catching, popping, and/or grinding of the shoulder
►Inability to effectively throw
►Decreased range of motion

Common symptoms include:

►Pain
►Severe weakness
►Joint laxity

Swelling and numbness can also occur.

Diagnosis
Orthopedic surgeons are the most qualified medical professionals to diagnose SLAP tears. Many tennis players with shoulder pain have GIRD and are at increased risk for suffering a SLAP tear. Specific exercises and stretching can help decrease this risk. The evaluation process usually includes:

1. Taking a detailed medical history. Determining how and why the injury occurred provides diagnostic clues.

2. Performing a thorough physical exam. Symptoms that present with certain movements or positions helps diagnose the injury. Assessing shoulder motion and shoulder blade function can help determine if you are at increased risk for SLAP tears.

3. Analyzing medical imaging studies. X-rays and MRIs help confirm the diagnosis.

Once a patient has been diagnosed with a SLAP tear, a treatment plan is made.

Treatment
As previously mentioned, SLAP tears are usually treated using surgical intervention. During the arthroscopic procedure, the specialist locates the tear and then repairs it using suture anchors that reattach the labrum to the bone. The procedure usually takes one or two hours and is done on an outpatient basis. In older athletes or in recurrent tears, better success has been seen with a biceps tenodesis, where the biceps is released from the labrum and reattached at the humerus.


 


Dr. Charles Ruotolo
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon & Founder of Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Dr. Charles Ruotolo is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and the founder of Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine with locations in Massapequa, East Meadow and the Bronx, N.Y. Dr. Ruotolo completed his orthopedic residency program at SUNY Stony Brook in 2000. After his residency, he underwent fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at the prestigious Sports Clinic of Laguna Hills, Calif. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. As an Associate Master Instructor of Arthroscopy for the Arthroscopy Association of North America, Dr. Ruotolo actively teaches other orthopedic surgeons advanced arthroscopic skills in shoulder surgery. As an avid researcher he has also published multiple articles on shoulder injuries and shoulder surgery in the peer review journals of Arthroscopic Surgery and of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. For more information, visit www.totalorthosportsmed.com.

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