Lake Tahoe Orthopaedic Institute

Will a labral tear heal without treatment?

There are no good natural history studies on labral injuries. There are acute (sudden) labral tear injuries that are likely to heal without surgery. In chronic (longstanding) cases, however, there are no successful non-operative treatments.

What are the causes of a SLAP tear?

The causes of SLAP tears are a subject of debate among orthopaedic surgeons. There are several injury patterns that can lead to a tear. The most common causes are thought to be:

a fall on the outstretched hand that drives the humerus upward and causes the superior labrum to tear.
a sudden and often unexpected load applied to the biceps, which can cause a tear.
extremes of external rotation and abduction (movement away from the body) during throwing that causes the labrum to "peel back" from its attachment.

Why would my surgeon perform a tenodesis rather than a repair?

The decision to perform a tenodesis is based upon the location of the tear, the amount of biceps involved, and the quality of the remaining tendon. The more degenerative the tissue, the more likely it is that a tenodesis will be a successful treatment. The patient's age is a secondary concern, but is a factor (along with the other variables) that should be considered when assessing the likelihood of success of a primary repair versus the results obtainable with a tenodesis.

References

PH: 1-888-383-LTOI or 775-588-3636 FAX :775-588-1299

Zephyr Cove Office
212 Elks Point Rd., Suite 200 | Zephyr Cove, NV 89448
Phone: 775-588-3636 | MAP

Carson City Office
704 W. Nye Lane, Suite 204 | Carson City, NV 89703
Phone: 775-884-3131 | MAP

Gardnerville Office
1516 Virginia Ranch Road, Suite 101 | Gardnerville, NV 89410
Phone: 775-783-3228 | MAP

Incline Village Office
889 Alder Ave, Suite 303 | Incline Village, NV 89451
Phone: 775-831-7144 | MAP

About LTOI Doctors | Fellowship Program
Tahoe Knee & Shoulder Update | Physical Therapy | Patient Education
Frequently Asked Questions | Contact Us