The SLAP injury is basically an injury to the shoulder joint which is known as the labrum. The shoulder joint is ball and socket and the socket is shallow and hence quite vulnerable. To help in adding support to the shallow socket, the shoulder has cartridge which is known as labrum. This forms the cup for the bone end to move within. The SLAP stands for Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior. The SLAP injury occurs at the point of tendon and bicep muscle intersection on the labrum.

The SLAP injury often occurs as a result of a hand outstretches or a fall. A direct blow on the shoulder can lead to the condition as well as repetitive overhead movement. The main reason as to why the labrum is more susceptible to the injuries is due to the fact that it is low in blood supply. Should dislocations can also result in the condition. The condition can therefore result from an occupation since for it to happen, one has to outstretch or do repetitive movements over a number of years.

The symptoms vary between individuals and their severity can lead to immense discomfort. The most common symptoms include the shoulder pain which results from overhead activity. The pain can become constant over the years and the patients can at times feel the painful clicks with shoulder movement. The SLAP injury has also been associated with prior injuries to the shoulder.

The good thing about the condition is that it can be treated after appropriate diagnosis. Some of the common treatments used include the physiotherapy and arthroscopic surgery which include such procedures as debridement of the SLAP injury, arthroscopic repair and arthroscopic tenodesis of the biceps tendon. The symptoms of the SLAP injury persist if the appropriate treatment is not done. The most preferred treatment to the SLAP injury is the surgical treatment which has an 80% success rate.