SLAP Tear

Adhesive capsulitis: thickening and tightening of the joint capsule that stiffens the shoulder and causes months of pain, often with no injury at all.

Frozen Shoulder

A tear of the top of the labrum where the biceps tendon anchors, common in throwers and after a fall on an outstretched arm.

SLAP Tear

A sprain or separation of the joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, usually from a fall onto the point of the shoulder.

AC Joint Injury

Inflammation, fraying or tearing of the biceps tendon where it anchors inside the shoulder, often alongside rotator cuff or labral problems.

Biceps Tendon Injury

Inflammation of the fluid-filled cushion between the rotator cuff and the bony roof of the shoulder, causing pain with reaching and lying on that side.

Shoulder Bursitis

Breaks of the collarbone, the upper arm bone at the shoulder, or the shoulder blade, from falls and collisions. Many heal in a sling; some need fixation or replacement.

Shoulder Fractures

Damage to the smooth cartilage surface of the ball or socket, from a dislocation, an injury or early wear, that causes pain, catching and the start of arthritis.

Shoulder Cartilage Injury

Overuse injuries of the shoulder and elbow in baseball, softball and other overhead athletes: labral tears, internal impingement, biceps problems and elbow ligament strain.

Throwing Injuries

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Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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What it is

SLAP Tear

SLAP stands for superior labrum anterior to posterior: a tear of the labrum at the top of the socket, where the biceps tendon attaches.

It can peel the biceps anchor off the bone.It is a throwers injury first, and a fall injury second.

Treated by

Kevin Christensen, MD, Knee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine

J. Ryan Taylor, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. TaylorShoulder and Sports Medicine

Michael Carlson, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. CarlsonShoulder and Sports Medicine

or call801-640-0000

SLAP Tear

Symptoms

Deep pain in the shoulder with throwing, overhead lifting, or reaching behind.Clicking or catching. Loss of throwing velocity. A sense of looseness without a true dislocation.

Pain is often vague and hard to point to.

Common signs

Deep pain with throwing

Clicking or catching

Lost velocity or control

Pain reaching behind

See us sooner if

Shoulder that came out

Night pain with weakness

SLAP Tear

Causes

Repetitive overhead throwing loads the biceps anchor with every pitch.A fall on an outstretched arm, a sudden pull on the arm, or a dislocation can tear it acutely.Baseball, softball, volleyball and swimming athletes are most affected.

SLAP Tear

How We Diagnose It

Exam uses specific tests for the biceps anchor.MRI with contrast shows the tear. Many SLAP changes on MRI in patients over forty are normal wear and do not need repair.The diagnosis is made by matching the picture to the exam and the story.High school and college throwers from the valley make up most SLAP patients; Dr. Christensen trained with Dr. James Andrews. Dr. Christensen, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Carlson operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Spanish Fork Hospital.

SLAP Tear

Treatment Options

Physical therapy focused on shoulder blade control and posterior capsule stretching resolves many SLAP tears, especially in non-throwers.

Young throwers with a confirmed tear are treated with arthroscopic SLAP repair. Patients over thirty-five usually do better with biceps tenodesis, which removes the painful anchor.

Your options

Non-surgical

Physical therapy

Capsule stretching

Throwing program

Surgical

SLAP repair

Biceps tenodesis

SLAP Repair

Biceps Tenodesis

Shoulder Labral Repair

SLAP Tear

Procedures That Address It

SLAP Repair

Biceps Tenodesis

Shoulder Labral Repair

SLAP Tear

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Christensen, MD

Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Taylor, MD

Dual fellowship trained in sports medicine and in shoulder and elbow surgery. Former Division I football player.

Dr. Carlson, MD

Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip and ankle. Published sports medicine researcher. Fourteen years in practice.

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330