Shoulder Labral Repair

Labrum repair is a surgical technique recommended for treating labrum tear. Labrum is a triangular, fibrous, rigid cartilage structure lining the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder. It provides cushioning support to these two joints. It also deepens the socket and helps to stabilize the joint.

Repetitive use of shoulders or injuries that occurs during accidents, trauma, or sports activities may cause labral tear. The labral tear causes pain and discomfort. You may have catching sensation, instability, weakness, clicking or locking sensation when moved, stiffness, and restricted movement. Injury to the labrum causes the tissue to slide out of the socket (subluxation) or it may completely move out of the socket (dislocation).

Labrum repair can be done using minimally invasive technique, open surgery or grafting. In arthroscopic surgery, the torn labrum will be reattached to the rim of the bone using anchor sutures and the capsules and ligaments will be tightened. In open surgery, the torn labrum will be removed and reattached to the joints using anchor sutures. In grafting technique, the torn labrum will be replaced by the labrum harvested from other bones of the body.