Surrounding the shoulder joint is a thick piece of cartilage called the labrum. Repetitive overhead movements or an injury can result in a labral tear and lead to shoulder instability, as well as pain and discomfort. One way to repair a torn labrum is through surgery. Dr. Babak Samimi, Dr. Soheil Samimi, and Dr. David Eldringhoff, the highly skilled doctors at Samimi Orthopaedic Group in LA, and West Covina, CA, perform labral tear repair and can determine if you need surgery.
Signs of a Torn Labrum
You might experience certain symptoms if you have a torn labrum. Common signs of a labral tear include:
- Shoulder pain or discomfort
- Weakness in the shoulder joint
- A popping sound when moving the shoulder
- The shoulder feels like it may pop out of place
Several factors can cause a torn shoulder labrum. Two common causes include a shoulder injury and overuse of the shoulder joint. Overuse tends to happen as a result of performing repetitive motions. For example, baseball and softball players have a higher risk of sustaining a labral tear since they constantly use the shoulder joint to throw.
How Surgery Helps
The experienced doctors at our offices in LA, and West Covina, CA, perform labral tear repair surgery. Not everyone with a labral tear will require surgery. Minor tears that do not cause shoulder instability can often be healed through physical therapy. A severely torn labrum, however, might require surgery to reattach it.
Whether or not surgery is needed will depend on the severity of the shoulder injury, as well as the type, level, and intensity of physical activities the patient is involved in. Surgery is extremely beneficial for athletes and other individuals who need full use of their shoulders. It usually takes between 4-6 weeks for the labrum to reattach to the bone following surgery. Another 4-6 weeks are needed for everything to fully stabilize before attempting to return to previous activities.
Surgery can restore full shoulder function following a labral tear. For labral tear repair in LA, and West Covina, CA, schedule a consultation with Dr. Babak Samimi, Dr. Soheil Samimi, and Dr. Eldringhoff by calling Samimi Orthopaedic Group at 626-338-7391 or 310-606-2156.