Managing your Shoulder Glenoid Labrum Injury

Written By Nick Stamatiou
Unstable SLAP lesions: repaired arthroscopically by reattaching the labrum to the glenoid (socket). - Stable SLAP lesions and stable non-SLAP lesions: repaired with arthroscopic fixation
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint. - The glenoid labrum is a ring of fibrous tissue attached to the rim of the glenoid (socket). - It expands the size and depth of the sockets cavity, thus increasing the stability of the shoulder joint

Management

Surgical management followed by physiotherapy rehabilitation.

- Unstable SLAP lesions: repaired arthroscopically by reattaching the labrum to the glenoid (socket).

- Stable SLAP lesions and stable non-SLAP lesions: repaired with arthroscopic fixation

- Physiotherapy management

o   Early stages: the shoulder is immobilized for a short period followed by resorting shoulder range and gradually commencing strengthening exercises.

o   Week 8: commencement of resistance strengthening exercises provided that adequate shoulder range has been achieved.

o   Week 16: commencement of throwing program in throwing/overhead athletes

o   Week 24: commencement of contact sports in contact athletes.  

Conservative:

- A small population of patients can try conservative treatment if their symptoms are mild.

- This management focuses on reducing pain and inflammation before progressing to restoring normal shoulder motion followed by strengthening the shoulder joint.

- Prognosis: 8-12 weeks

- Surgery should be considered if conservative management fails after three months.

Nick Stamatiou

Nick has a strong interest in sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy and is motivated to help people reach their desired goals and to achieve their full potential.

His experience includes:

  • Sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapist in a private practice setting

  • Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation inpatient physiotherapist at Brisbane Private Hospital

  • Clinical Reformer and Mat-work Pilates instructor

  • Football gameday physiotherapist

While Nick is skilled in managing all areas of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, he has a particular interest in the rehabilitation of muscle strains, hip, knee and lower back conditions. Nick offers dry needling, massage and joint mobilisation to compliment exercise prescription.

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