A superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesion is an injury to the labrum of the shoulder joint, the cuff of cartilage that forms a cup for the arm bone to move within, increasing shoulder stability. Patients with a SLAP lesion may experience pain with movement, limited range of motion, frequent dislocation and a catching sensation in the shoulder.
Severe SLAP lesions may require surgical repair, which often includes:
- debridement of fraying tissue to prevent a tear
- securing the loose labrum to the cup of the joint
- repair or removing torn labrum tissue
- removing labral tear and repairing biceps tendon
Surgery for SLAP lesions is performed on an outpatient basis and takes about 90 minutes. These procedures can usually be performed arthroscopically through several small incisions, into which a camera and tiny surgical instruments are inserted.