Does labral repair treat shoulder labral tear?

The shoulder labrum is a cartilage rim that deepens the socket and helps the joint stay stable. A tear may involve different parts of this rim, including patterns known as a SLAP tear or Bankart lesion. In arthroscopic repair, a camera and instruments pass through small openings, and anchors or stitches secure the labrum to the socket edge. The best approach depends on the tear pattern, tissue quality, instability, cartilage condition, age, and activity demands.

A clinician may compare your history with shoulder movement, strength, stability tests, and imaging. Non-operative care can include activity changes, pain relief, and physiotherapy that restores shoulder-blade control and rotator-cuff strength. If repair is selected, expect a protected period in a sling followed by gradual movement and strengthening. Avoid lifting, throwing, or overhead training until your rehabilitation plan allows it; rushing these activities can overload healing tissue.

Seek prompt assessment if the shoulder repeatedly slips out, becomes visibly deformed, or cannot be moved after an injury. After repair, contact the surgical team for worsening wound redness or drainage, fever, uncontrolled pain, new hand numbness or weakness, marked arm swelling, chest pain, or breathlessness.

Ask which part of the labrum is torn, whether repair is suitable, and whether instability or another shoulder problem also needs treatment. Discuss sling use, sleeping positions, driving, work demands, physiotherapy stages, and the signs of a complication.