What to expect from physiotherapy for a shoulder labral tear

Your physiotherapist may check shoulder movement, strength, posture and how the joint behaves during reaching, lifting or rotation. A labral tear can make the shoulder feel painful, unstable, catching or less confident during overhead activity. The plan is adjusted to your symptoms, the tear's location, your work and your goals.

Early sessions may focus on comfortable range of motion and control of the shoulder blade and rotator cuff. Later work can add resistance, closed-chain loading and movements that resemble your routine. Physiotherapy may improve control and function, but it cannot repair torn tissue directly.

Follow the home exercises at the prescribed frequency and keep the movement smooth rather than forcing a painful end range. Temporarily reduce heavy overhead lifting, sudden pulling and positions that repeatedly cause slipping or catching. Keep a simple record of pain, clicking, strength and activities so the plan can be refined.

Progress is usually based on steadier movement, better strength and improved confidence, not on completing a fixed timetable. Tell the therapist if pain lingers after exercise, the shoulder feels unstable, or a new movement causes sharp pain.

Arrange prompt medical assessment for a shoulder that becomes visibly deformed, suddenly loses function after an injury, or has new numbness or marked weakness in the arm. Seek urgent help for chest pressure, severe breathlessness or pain spreading from the chest to the arm.

Contact the treating clinician when symptoms keep worsening despite activity changes, repeated giving-way episodes interrupt normal tasks, or progress stops. A doctor may reassess the diagnosis and discuss imaging or other treatment options.

Ask which shoulder positions to avoid, how to judge acceptable exercise discomfort, when lifting can be increased, and what signs would make a surgical opinion appropriate.