Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Shoulder SLAP Tear: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Last updated: February 7, 2026 Medically reviewed by: RxHarun Orthopedic Specialist Doctor Reading time: 2 min read

A ring made of solid tissue known as the “labrum” helps to stabilize the shoulder and make it function properly. It helps in keeping the arm bone fit in perfectly into the socket of the shoulder. When the top portion of labrum gets injured or tears apart, it is referred to as a SLAP injury. The full form of SLAP is ‘superior labrum, anterior to posterior’.

You must immediately visit an expert Joint Doctor or orthopedician in case of a SLAP injury. Read on to know more about the symptoms, causes and treatments for the same.

SYMPTOMS:

  • A SLAP injury shows the below mentioned symptoms:
  • Pain in the arm during overhead movements is one of the prominent symptoms of a SLAP tear.
  • Secondly, the affected person can also experience a crackling sound in the shoulder.
  • The injured person feels weakness in his shoulder along with continuous pain.

CAUSES:

People suffering from SLAP injuries mostly tend to bear the stress of other shoulder injuries as well. An experienced orthopedic doctor can determine the exact condition of your shoulder and give you the requisite treatment.

A SLAP injury can be caused due to any of the following reasons:

  • If you fall with the whole pressure on your shoulder.
  • The injury can also result from a fall where your arm is stretched out completely.
  • Lifting heavy objects on a regular basis or with a sudden movement can also lead to a SLAP injury.
  • The labrum can also tear apart in a car accident wherein your arm is stretched out.
  • Playing sports such as baseball, wherein the overhead movement is too much can also cause the labrum to get injured.

TREATMENT:

Since pain in the shoulder can be a result of many factors, it becomes all the more hard to diagnose a SLAP injury. However, anorthopedic doctor can determine whether you have a SLAP tear or not by conducting a number of tests that check the movement of the shoulder joint. An MRI scan can also be conducted to diagnose a SLAP injury.

But the most reliable way to confirm a SLAP tear is by conducting an arthroscopic surgery. In this case, incisions in the shoulder are made by the doctor so as to clearly see inside the joint. This is done by inserting a small camera that is attached to a very slim tube. In this process, the tear can also be repaired simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

Add references, clinical guidelines, textbooks, journal articles, or trusted medical sources here. You can edit this area later with a custom field named _rx_references.

Related Articles

Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome Type 1 (APS-1)

September 30, 202523 min read0 views

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type 1 (APS-1)—also known as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED)—is a rare, inherited immune-system disease caused by harmful changes in the AIRE…

Read more

Written by Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, MD - Arthritis, Bones, Joints Pain, Trauma, and Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Md. Harun Ar Rashid, MPH, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical specialist celebrated for his exceptional clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to patient care. With advanced qualifications including MPH, MD, and PhD, he integrates cutting-edge research with a compassionate approach to medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment. His extensive training and hands-on experience enable him to diagnose complex conditions accurately and develop innovative treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid is dedicated to medical education and research, writing and inventory creative thinking, innovative idea, critical care managementing make in his community to outreach, often participating in initiatives that promote health awareness and advance medical knowledge. His career is a testament to the high standards represented by his credentials, and he continues to contribute significantly to his field, driving improvements in both patient outcomes and healthcare practices. Born and educated in Bangladesh, Dr. Rashid earned his BPT from the University of Dhaka before pursuing postgraduate training internationally. He completed his MD in Internal Medicine at King’s College London, where he developed a special interest in inflammatory arthritis and metabolic bone disease. He then undertook a PhD in Orthopedic Science at the University of Oxford, conducting pioneering research on cytokine signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis. Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Rashid returned to clinical work with a fellowship in interventional pain management at the Rx University School of Medicine, refining his skills in image-guided joint injections and minimally invasive pain-relief techniques.