When Is Labral Repair Recommended for a Shoulder Labral Tear?

The labrum is a rim of tissue that deepens the shoulder socket and helps the joint stay centered. A tear may be related to an injury, repeated overhead activity, or shoulder dislocation. Assessment usually combines your symptoms, a physical examination, and imaging. The tear's location, shoulder stability, activity needs, age, and tissue quality all affect the recommendation. Some tears settle with activity changes, physiotherapy, and symptom relief; an imaging finding alone does not automatically require an operation.

Arrange an orthopaedic assessment if pain, catching, weakness, or a sense that the shoulder may slip continues. Bring details about the original injury, dislocations, sports or work demands, and treatments already tried. A clinician may first recommend a tailored rehabilitation programme to improve shoulder control and strength. If symptoms remain limiting, discuss the expected benefit of repair, the rehabilitation commitment, and whether another procedure is more suitable for the tear pattern. Read more about [Labral Repair](/treatments/sports-and-arthroscopic-surgery/labral-repair/).

Seek urgent assessment after a new shoulder injury if the joint looks deformed, the arm cannot be moved, or the hand becomes cold, pale, numb, or unusually weak. Prompt care is also sensible after a suspected dislocation, because nerves, blood vessels, and other shoulder structures may be affected. Do not try to force the shoulder back into position yourself.

Which part of my labrum is torn, and how does that explain my symptoms? What non-surgical options should I complete first? What would repair aim to improve? How long might movement and strengthening rehabilitation take? Could instability or another shoulder problem change the plan?