What is a Shoulder Labral Tear?
A shoulder labral tear occurs when the labrum, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket, becomes damaged or torn. The labrum plays a key role in stabilizing the shoulder joint by deepening the socket and supporting smooth arm movement.
A SLAP tear shoulder condition is a common type of shoulder injury. It happens when the tear affects the upper part of the labrum, which is where the biceps tendon attaches. When the labrum is injured, the shoulder may feel painful or unstable or produce clicking and catching sensations during movement.
Unlike temporary shoulder strain, a labral tear often persists and may worsen without guided care. As the damage progresses, routine actions such as lifting, reaching, or overhead activity can become uncomfortable and unreliable.
As symptoms increase, a shoulder labral tear may interfere with daily activities, including:
- Pain or clicking during overhead movements or lifting.
- Discomfort when reaching behind the back or across the body.
- Shoulder weakness or a feeling of instability.
- Night pain that affects sleep on the affected side.
- Reduced ability to perform work, sports, or household tasks.
Without appropriate non-surgical labral tear treatment, these symptoms may persist or gradually worsen.
Understanding the Shoulder Joint
The shoulder is a highly mobile ball-and-socket joint that relies on coordinated function of the labrum, joint capsule, muscles, tendons, and ligaments to maintain stability during movement.
In shoulder labral tears, damage to the cartilage rim reduces joint stability and disrupts smooth motion. This can lead to pain, mechanical clicking, and difficulty controlling shoulder movements, especially during rotation or overhead activity.
Types and Patterns of Shoulder Labral Tears
Shoulder labral tears may vary based on location and mechanism of injury, each with different clinical features and recovery needs.
Stage 1
SLAP Tear:
Involves the upper labrum and may cause deep shoulder pain, clicking, or discomfort during lifting or throwing movements.
Stage 2
Anterior or Posterior Labral Tears:
Occur at the front or back of the joint and may be associated with instability or pain during specific arm positions.
Understanding the tear pattern helps guide appropriate labrum tear diagnosis and treatment planning.
Symptoms of a Shoulder Labral Tear
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent shoulder pain during movement.
- Clicking, popping, or catching sensations in the shoulder.
- Pain with overhead activity or lifting.
- Shoulder weakness or instability.
- Night pain or discomfort during sleep.
- Reduced confidence in shoulder movement during daily tasks.
Symptoms That Need Medical Evaluation
- Shoulder pain lasting several weeks without improvement.
- Recurrent shoulder clicking pain with movement.
- Increasing weakness or instability.
- Difficulty performing routine activities.
- Night pain that disrupts sleep.
Early evaluation improves outcomes with nonsurgical labral tear treatment.
Causes and Risk Factors
A shoulder labral tear may develop due to injury or gradual wear. Common contributing factors include:
Repetitive overhead activity:
Traumatic injury:
Shoulder instability:
Age-related degeneration:
Poor shoulder mechanics:
In some individuals, labral tears develop gradually without a single identifiable injury.
Diagnosis and Assessment
Labrum tear diagnosis involves a detailed clinical evaluation and review of symptoms.
- Assessment of shoulder range of motion and stability.
- Evaluation of pain patterns, clicking, and functional limitation.
- Review of injury history, sports activity, or occupational demands.
- Imaging such as MRI may be advised to confirm labral damage and rule out other shoulder conditions when required.
Accurate diagnosis is essential to guide appropriate non-surgical care.
Advanced Non-Surgical Treatments for Shoulder Labral Tear
Most shoulder labral tears can be managed without surgery. Nonsurgical labral tear treatment focuses on pain relief, improving stability, and restoring controlled shoulder movement.
For patients whose symptoms do not improve with rest and basic physiotherapy alone, advanced non-surgical treatments may be recommended. These are selected based on symptom severity, tear pattern, and functional limitation.
The Nivaan Way
At Nivaan, all advanced non-surgical interventions are performed with precision under real-time imaging guidance, such as ultrasound or C-arm fluoroscopy, to ensure accurate targeting, improved safety, and reliable outcomes.
Image-Guided Injections
Trigger Point Injections
Regenerative Medicine (PRP)
Recovery Support: Physiotherapy, Nutrition, and Pain Counselling
Recovery from a shoulder labral tear is more effective when medical treatment is supported by structured rehabilitation and daily care.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Nutrition support
Pain counselling and emotional support
Together, this integrated approach supports comfortable recovery and return to daily activities.
When to See an Interventional Pain Specialist
You should consult a specialist if:
- Shoulder pain persists despite rest.
- Clicking or instability continues.
- Shoulder movement becomes unreliable.
- Symptoms interfere with daily activities or sleep.
Early specialist care improves recovery outcomes and reduces long-term limitations.
Our Integrated Non-Surgical Care Pathway
At Nivaan, shoulder labral tear treatment follows a structured approach:
- Comprehensive specialist assessment
- Accurate diagnosis and imaging review
- Personalized non-surgical treatment planning
- Guided rehabilitation and recovery monitoring
Book an Appointment for Shoulder Labral Tear Treatment
If shoulder pain, clicking, or instability is limiting your daily activities, early shoulder labral tear treatment can help restore comfort and movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many patients improve with nonsurgical labral tear treatment when diagnosed early
Pain, clicking sensations, weakness, and discomfort during overhead activity are common.
Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation and imaging, such as MRI, when needed.
Yes. Structured physiotherapy improves stability and movement control, supporting recovery.
Yes. Early care reduces pain, improves function, and may prevent worsening damage.