What is a Shoulder Labral Tear?

What Kind of Surgery did Trevor Lawrence Have?

The quick answer as reported by the media is that Trevor Lawrence had a Shoulder Labrum Repair on his Left Shoulder. Trevor Lawrence finished his college football career at Clemson with a 34 - 2 record as the starting quarterback. But, he has been dealing with an injury in his non-throwing shoulder for the past several years.

Trevor Lawrence was the number 1 draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has been selected as the starting quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2021 season.

Lawrence's surgery was timed to allow him 4 to 6 months to recover and be ready for the 2021 NFL season.

To learn about shoulder labral tears and Repair surgery, read on or watch this Video on Shoulder Labral Tears.

What is The Shoulder Labrum?

The quick answer is the Shoulder Labrum, or Glenoid Labrum is a piece of cartilage in the shoulder. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint. But the socket is really shallow. This allows for a large range of movements. The shallow socket can also permit excessive sliding and gliding of the ball in the socket. The labrum is a piece of cartilage that is shaped like an "O-ring". It adds depth to the socket and gives more stability to the shoulder.

Diagram showing where a shoulder tear labrum can occur. JOI Rehab Shoulder labrum

What is a Shoulder Labral or Labrum Tear?

The quick answer is a labral tear occurs when the labrum frays (unravels or wears thin) or separates from the socket of the scapula or the end of the humerus. A labral tear can sometimes develop over time as a result of overuse or repetitive movements.

A labral tear can also occur as a result of an injury. Some common types of injuries to the shoulder that could result in a labral tear include, but are not limited to

falling on an outstretched arm
shoulder dislocation
forceful pull on the arm
direct blow
car accidents
chronic shoulder subluxation
normal wear and tear of the aging process.

Symptoms of a Shoulder Labral Tear

A bankart lesion is a form of shoulder labrum tear. It could require shoulder surgery to fix. JOI Rehab Shoulder Labrum Tear

A labral tear doesn’t usually hurt all the time. Pain occurs when you use your shoulder, especially during activities involving the movement of your arm above your head.

Symptoms of a shoulder labral tear may include:

Deep achy feeling in the back of your shoulder
Popping, clicking or grinding sensation in your shoulder
Weak feeling during exercise, like your shoulder is going to pop out of place.
Loss of strength
Reduced range of motion
Difficulty lifting the arm overhead

Treatment of a Shoulder Labral Tear

Shoulder Labral or Labrum Tear and Treatment
Labral tears do not always require surgery. If the labrum is merely frayed, stopping the activity that initiated the pain and use of anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and swelling, followed by specific exercises or physical therapy to build the muscles back up may be sufficient.

If the labrum has separated from the bone, surgery is usually required to anchor the cartilage back to the bone in the socket. Arthroscopic surgery is used whenever possible to minimize swelling and discomfort so the healing and recovery processes may begin sooner.

The severity of the labral tear determines whether surgical treatment is necessary to successfully repair the damage.

What Is a Shoulder Labral Repair?

A shoulder labral or labrum tear surgery at JOI. Shoulder Labral Repair Surgery

The quick answer is a shoulder labral repair is a procedure that reattaches the labral cartilage in the shoulder to the bone. Shoulder labrum surgery is typically performed using arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive method used by orthopedic surgeons.

The surgeon makes a few small incisions. They are able to insert a camera to visualize the torn labrum and surgical tools to allow them to perform the repair. Please watch this video on Labral Tears to learn more.

Recovery After a Shoulder Labrum Repair Surgery

The type and severity of a labral tear determine what you can expect during recovery.

Use of a sling for shoulder labral injuries and crutches for hip labral injuries for a few weeks to minimize use of the shoulder or hip as it begins to heal, often with mild exercise at first to minimize stiffness and muscle loss
Gradual addition of exercises to regain mobility and strengthen the shoulder
Throwing and moderate impact activities can be resumed with slow progression 3-4 months after the surgery

Most patients regain complete use of the shoulder with full recovery about 4 to 6 months following surgery to repair a shoulder labral tear.

Also if you have recently had a shoulder surgery watch our video on How to Properly Put on an UltraSling 4 or Dressing the Upper Body After an Injury or Surgery

To Learn how to wear a sling properly, this VIDEO can help.

Shoulder Labral Tear Doctors in Jacksonville, FL

If you think you have a shoulder labral tear, you should be properly evaluated by a shoulder orthopedic specialist. The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute has been voted the Top Orthopedic Practice by Bold City Best for the past 6 years. We are experts in treating shoulder labral injuries and getting you back to the top of your game.

Book an Appointment with The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Today!

JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.

You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.

To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.

By: Michelle Duclos ATC