The shoulder glenohumeral joint, the main ball-and-socket joint, contains cartilage on the humeral head and glenoid socket to allow smooth movement. A tough rim of cartilage called the labrum on the outside of the glenoid helps stabilize the joint and keep the humeral head in place. When an injury or repetitive use damages the shoulder labrum, it can result in shoulder pain and functional issues. At Robotic Hip and Knee Replacement LA in Los Angeles, we offer treatment for shoulder injuries, including labral tear surgery.

Causes and Symptoms of Labral Tears

The labrum in the shoulder joint can be torn or damaged from trauma to the shoulder or from repetitive injury. Falling on an outstretched arm, impact to the shoulder, jerking the arm or shoulder dislocation can all tear or damage the labrum. Repetitive stress can also damage the labrum, with throwing athletes often tearing their labrum. Symptoms of a labral tear include:

• Weakness in shoulder
• Catching or grinding in the shoulder
• Pain when reaching or lifting arm above the shoulder
• Reduced range of motion
• Frequent partial or complete dislocations

The labrum, like most cartilage, does not easily repair on its own. While mild or moderate damage to the labrum can be treated with conservative therapies, like physical therapy or anti-inflammatory medications, severe tears may require surgery. Shoulder labral tear surgery can be performed using minimally-invasive arthroscopic methods at our advanced orthopedic medical center in Beverly Hills.

Shoulder labral tear surgery followed by rehabilitation can repair a damaged shoulder joint, relieving pain and restoring full range of motion. If you have a torn labrum and need treatment, contact us at Robotic Hip and Knee Replacement LA. Our shoulder specialist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Farzin Kabaei, offers shoulder labral tear surgery and other shoulder treatments at our clinic in LA.