SLAP Lesion (Superior Glenoid Labral Tear or Glenoid Labral Tear)

The socket of the shoulder joint has a complex structure where the center is composed of the bony part of the socket (from the shoulder blade) with hyaline cartilage coating and this is surrounded with a softer material, called the "glenoid labrum" (see anatomy of shoulder).

With baseball pitching or similar strenuous actions the upper edge of this can tear (called "superior labral tear"). This can tear in 4 different ways and that's why there is a classification of type I, II,III and IV SLAP lesion (Ref. 4). The orthopedic surgeon with an interest in shoulder injuries will use different ways of dealing with each of these injuries.

After imaging studies often there will be an shoulder arthroscopy and depending on the complexitiy this alone might allow to fix the SLAP lesion. However, if this is technically impossible, the surgeon can convert this into an open procedure and fix the damage this way. Often the damage is too extensive to be completely repaired and the surgeon can only minimize the impact by doing what is possible. In about 40% of SLAP lesion cases there is also a simultaneous rotator cuff injury (Ref. 4).

There is an FDA approved non-drug method available, IceWave patches from Lifewave, which will control pain. This is mentioned in the book "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Somers (Ref. 7) where newer insights of antiaging medicine are also reviewed. Although the patches are placed over acupuncture points, there are no needles involved. Nanotechnology, a newer technology, was used in the manufacturing of these patches and infrared (heat) waves from body heat are utilized to stimulate an acupuncture point, which modifies pain perception and reduces pain to half or less. Medically this would be considered an excellent pain reliever. For more info on the patches see the IceWave patches from Lifewave link above (click "products"). In the US a 5 pack of the IceWave spray is available that can be directly sprayed onto the skin in the area where the pain is located.

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Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. ABC of rheumatology, second edition, edited by Michael L. Snaith , M.D., BMJ Books, 1999.

2. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999.

6. Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics: http://www.wheelessonline.com/ Several topics can be found under this link by entering the term you search for.

7. Suzanne Somers: "Breakthrough" Eight Steps to Wellness-- Life-altering Secrets from Today's Cutting-edge Doctors", Crown Publishers, 2008

Last Modified: Nov. 16, 2008