Does physiotherapy treat shoulder labral tear?

The labrum is a rim of tissue that helps deepen the shoulder socket and supports stability. A tear can be associated with pain, catching, clicking, reduced confidence or weakness, but symptoms and examination findings do not always identify the exact tear type. Physiotherapy may be suitable when the shoulder is stable enough for rehabilitation. Sessions can address protected movement, rotator cuff strength, shoulder-blade mechanics and gradual return to reaching, lifting or sport. A SLAP tear and a Bankart lesion can have different implications, so the plan should reflect the location, injury mechanism and any dislocation history. Rehabilitation may improve function without repairing the tissue itself.

Have persistent catching, weakness or pain assessed, especially after a fall, traction injury or dislocation. Follow guidance on activity modification and avoid heavy pulling or repeated overhead loading until you know what is appropriate. If physiotherapy is advised, begin with the prescribed range of motion and control work, then build resistance and task demands in stages. Tell the therapist about painful clicking, locking, slipping or symptoms that continue after exercise. Lack of progress should prompt a review of the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Seek urgent assessment after a new injury with severe pain, visible deformity, inability to move the arm, or new numbness or weakness. Arrange prompt review for repeated instability, true locking, increasing swelling or pain that is worsening rather than settling. An examination may be needed before continuing rehabilitation.

Ask which labral region may be involved, whether the shoulder is stable for exercise, which loads to avoid, and what progress would lead to further imaging or specialist review.