SLAP tear

SLAP tear

Glenoid fossa of right side. (Glenoidal labrum labeled as "glenoid lig.")
Classification and external resources
ICD-9 840.7

A SLAP tear or SLAP lesion is an injury to the glenoid labrum (fibrocartilaginous rim attached around the margin of the glenoid cavity). SLAP is an acronym for "superior labral tear from anterior to posterior".

Overview

The shoulder joint is a 'ball and socket' joint.[1] However, the 'socket' (the glenoid fossa of the scapula) is small, covering at most only a third of the 'ball' (the head of the humerus). It is deepened by a circumferential rim of fibrocartilage, the glenoidal labrum. Previously there was debate as to whether the labrum was fibrocartilaginous as opposed to hyaline cartilage found in the remainder of the glenoid fossa. Previously, it was considered a redundant, evolutionary remnant, but is now considered integral to shoulder stability. Most agree that the proximal tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle becomes fibrocartilaginous prior to attaching to the superior aspect of the glenoid. The long head of the triceps brachii inserts inferiorly, similarly.[2] Together, all of those cartilaginous extensions are termed the 'glenoid labrum'.

A SLAP tear or lesion occurs when there is damage to the superior (uppermost) area of the labrum. These lesions have come into public awareness because of their frequency in athletes involved in overhead and throwing activities in turn relating to relatively recent description of labral injuries in throwing athletes,[3] and initial definitions of the 4 (major) SLAP sub-types,[4] all happening since the 1990s. The identification and treatment of these injuries continues to evolve.

Sub-types

Although ten varieties of SLAP lesion have been described on MRI or MR arthrography[5] seven clinical types are generally described.[6]

Symptoms

Several symptoms are common but not specific:[7]

Treatment

Few with SLAP lesion injuries return to full capability without surgical intervention. In some, physical therapy can strengthen the supporting muscles in the shoulder joint to the point of reestablishing stability. For most others, the choice is to do nothing or some form of surgical repair.[8]

While surgery can be performed as a traditional open procedure, an arthroscopic technique[9] is currently favored being less intrusive with low chance of iatrogenic infection.[10]

Associated findings within the shoulder joint are varied, may not be predictable and include:

It should be noted that while good outcomes with SLAP repair over the age of 40 are reported, both age greater than 40 and Workmen's Compensation status have been noted as independent predictors of surgical complications. This is particularly so if there is an associated rotator cuff injury. In such circumstances, it is suggested that labral debridement and biceps tenotomy is preferred.[12]

Procedure

Arthroscopic SLAP Lesion (type 2) repair

Following inspection and determination of the extent of injury, the basic labrum repair is as follows.

SLAP Tear


Repair of SLAP Tear


Repair of SLAP tear

Surgical rehabilitation

Surgical rehabilitation is vital, progressive and supervised. The first phase focusses on early motion and usually occupies post-surgical weeks one through three. Passive range of motion is restored in the shoulder, elbow, forearm, and wrist joints. However, while manual resistance exercises for scapular protraction, elbow extension, and pronation and supination are encouraged, elbow flexion resistance is avoided because of the biceps contraction that it generates and the need to protect the labral repair for at least six weeks. A sling may be worn, as needed, for comfort. Phase 2, occupying weeks 4 through 6, involves progression of strength and range of motion, attempting to achieve progressive abduction and external rotation in the shoulder joint. Phase 3, usually weeks six through 10, permits elbow flexion resistive exercises, now allowing the biceps to come into play on the assumption that the labrum will have healed sufficiently to avoid injury. Thereafter, isokinetic exercises may be commenced from weeks 10 through 12 to 16, for advanced strengthening leading to return to full activity based on post surgical evaluation, strength, and functional range of motion. The periods of isokinetics through final clearance are sometimes referred to as phases four and five.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Werner, C; Steinmann (July 1, 2005). "Treatment of Painful Pseudoparesis Due to Irreparable Rotator Cuff Dysfunction with the Delta III Reverse-Ball-and-Socket Total Shoulder Prosthesis". The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery 87 (7): 1476. doi:10.2106/JBJS.D.02342. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  2. ↑ Huber, WP; Putz, RV (December 1997). "Periarticular fiber system of the shoulder joint.". Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association 13 (6): 680–91. doi:10.1016/s0749-8063(97)90001-3. PMID 9442320.
  3. ↑ Andrews, JR; Carson WG, Jr; McLeod, WD (Sep–Oct 1985). "Glenoid labrum tears related to the long head of the biceps.". The American journal of sports medicine 13 (5): 337–41. doi:10.1177/036354658501300508. PMID 4051091.
  4. ↑ Snyder, SJ; Karzel, RP; Del Pizzo, W; Ferkel, RD; Friedman, MJ (1990). "SLAP lesions of the shoulder.". Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association 6 (4): 274–9. PMID 2264894.
  5. ↑ Mohana-Borges AV, Chung CB, Resnick D (December 2003). "Superior labral anteroposterior tear: classification and diagnosis on MRI and MR arthrography". AJR Am J Roentgenol 181 (6): 1449–62. doi:10.2214/ajr.181.6.1811449. PMID 14627555.
  6. ↑ Aydin N, Sirin E, Arya A (Jul 18, 2014). "Superior labrum anterior to posterior lesions of the shoulder: Diagnosis and arthroscopic management". World J Orthop 5 (3): 344–50. doi:10.5312/wjo.v5.i3.344. PMID 25035838.
  7. ↑ Chang D, Mohana-Borges A, Borso M, Chung CB (Oct 2008). "SLAP lesions: anatomy, clinical presentation, MR imaging diagnosis and characterization". Eur J Radiol 68 (1): 72–87. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2008.02.026. PMID 18499376.
  8. ↑ Patterson BM, Creighton RA, Spang JT, Roberson JR, Kamath GV (Jun 2, 2014). "Surgical Trends in the Treatment of Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior Lesions of the Shoulder: Analysis of Data From the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Certification Examination Database". Am J Sports Med 42 (8): 1904–10. doi:10.1177/0363546514534939. PMID 24890780.
  9. ↑ Huri G, Hyun YS, Garbis NG, McFarland EG (2014). "Treatment of superior labrum anterior posterior lesions: a literature review". Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 48 (3): 290–7. doi:10.3944/AOTT.2014.3169. PMID 24901919.
  10. ↑ Babcock HM, Matava MJ, Fraser V (Jan 1, 2002). "Postarthroscopy surgical site infections: review of the literature". Clin Infect Dis 34 (1): 65–71. doi:10.1086/324627. PMID 11731947.
  11. ↑ Patzer T, Kircher J, Lichtenberg S, Sauter M, Magosch P, Habermeyer P (May 2011). "Is there an association between SLAP lesions and biceps pulley lesions?". Arthroscopy 27 (5): 611–8. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2011.01.005. PMID 21663718.
  12. ↑ Erickson J, Lavery K, Monica J, Gatt C, Dhawan A (Jun 24, 2014). "Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Superior Labrum Anterior-Posterior Tears in Patients Older Than 40 Years: A Systematic Review". Am J Sports Med. doi:10.1177/0363546514536874. PMID 24961444.
  13. ↑ Ellenbecker TS, Sueyoshi T, Winters M, Zeman D (May 2008). "Descriptive report of shoulder range of motion and rotational strength six and 12 weeks following arthroscopic superior labral repair". N Am J Sports Phys Ther 3 (2): 95–106. PMID 21509132.

External links

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