Just got the news yesterday that I have a slap tear and I'm being referred to an ortho. I have never even heard of a slap tear and have done some research the past few days and I'm kind of worried about the possibility of having surgery. Can anyone give me any advice or info. How long is the recovery time? What can I look forward to in the near future?

It's pretty brutal surgery and recovery, I had my labrum anchored 5 places 10 weeks ago, I'm normally a flexible person, yet I can now just barely touch my other armpit. Doc says I can't even swim until 22 wks post surgery. I think you really have to ask yourself how badly your current condition affects your quality of life.
No kidding, I first tore my labrum in 1983. It progressively got worse over the years until I could no longer do the activities that I still love: baseball (with my son), softball, tennis, mtn biking and dirt biking - so to me, the surgery will be worth it if/when I'm able to do these things again.

Check my videos in the link of my signature, for some of what I've went thru so far!

I'm close to 6 months post op and I still have some slight pain, but I have been doing bjj and boxing for 3+ weeks now... I protect the shoulder a lot and make sure of what I'm doing but I'm happy to be that active again so soon...

Best of luck!

I agree with all that has been said. It is a hard surgery, it takes time to get back, and my experience is that you need to decide if not doing the surgery is going to keep you from doing the things you love to do. I am about 4.5 months out, and am just now doing strengthening/weight work. I am a rower, and am trying to take a year to get completely back (I am also 53..."old" to some!)

As many have said on this forum, drugs at the beginning and ice all the way through are your friends. I am back to icing after every workout. I don't have my total range of motion back, but I will get there.

Patience and courage! Stacey

Well I am only 35, fairly young and my injury is not really painful, more a discomfort at the time but it does hinder some of my day to day activities. I can still reach overhead but will feel the discomfort or slight pain but I really feel it at night or the day after depending on how much I have over worked it. Thing is, I am a coach and there is no way I can throw a ball, I have tried with my son but have no strength. I coach QB's and I know I won't be able to work with them the way I have or need to with the injury. The doctor has put me on a restriction of no lifting or overhead reaching and no throwing of any sort. So I'm worried about this and how it will affect me and my ability to work with my players and my two boys at home.

JayC, this is great that you are a coach...you will just have to be creative and find workarounds...and you will. And you will also have more empathy for your athletes when they have injuries. Take this as a challenge and learn from it (easy for me to say since I have had surgery and am on my way back to my sport.)I know how hard it is to be restricted, especially with your own children.

As you can see from this forum, the shoulder and injury to it is not easy...it is such an important part of our body, and so complex. However, you obviously need and want your shoulder to be healthy and strong, so it sounds right that you are following doctor advice. Coach yourself, coach!

Stacey