Simply put the shoulder is a complicated web of muscles, tendons and nerves. Consisting of a simple ball and socket design makes this joint the most flexible and able to offer the widest ranging degree of motion of all the joints in the human body. A SLAP lesion involves the cartilage that sits around the rim of the socket and occurs when it becomes displaced due to trauma – either acute or chronic.

Many athletes that rely on their ball throwing skills will find themselves at the mercy of a SLAP lesion. This is because the repeated action of throwing is the most common cause of tearing the cartilage from the socket rim. SLAP is abbreviation for Superior Labrum Tear from Anterior to Posterior.

As imagined this can be a very painful injury to anyone. Many times it can be a little tricky to diagnose and this is why sufferers are recommended and thoroughly urged to seek the advice of an Orthopedic Surgeon to have this complaint properly diagnosed. With a professional diagnosis the orthopedic doctor is able to set out a program for pain management and recovery options and planning with the patient.

Usually when a person suffers from a SLAP lesion then they experience pain when they are holding their arms at height. Sometimes people notice that they have less strength in the arm of the shoulder that is at concern. Patients will also report that they have a consistent and dull ache in the affected shoulder and that the pain is increased at night. Depending on how the tear occurs the SLAP injury will be diagnosed and treated accordingly.

Regardless of the injury occurred the patient is highly advised to consult with an Orthopedic specialist in order to devise a plan of action and to alleviate any pain the sufferer may be encountering.