SLAP tear surgical procedure

Last Updated (Thursday, 20 December 2007 11:07) Friday, 07 April 2006 20:05

A successful SLAP tear repair reattaches the labrum cartilage, to the glenoid, the shoulder socket bone with anchors.

According to my doctor, during any arthroscopic shoulder surgery he always checks the general health of the joint. There are approximately twenty different items or conditions that he examines or looks for. These include inspection of,

• SLAP lesion – labrum/glenoid separation at the tendon of the bicep muscle
• Bankart lesion – labrum/glenoid separation at the inferior glenohumeral ligament
• Bicep Tendon
• Bone – glenoid, humerus - general surface condition
• Rotator Cuff

The basic labrum repair, be it SLAP or Bankart lesion, is as follows.

• The glenoid and labrum are both roughened with arthroscopic instruments.
• The locations for anchor implants are selected.
• Holes are made in the glenoid to accept the anchors.
• The anchors are inserted into the holes.
• The suture component of the anchor is placed through the labrum.
• A knot is tied in the suture, to pull the labrum onto the surface of the glenoid.

Looking at the shoulder from the side a SLAP lesion occurs anywhere from 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock. A bad tear, from 10 to 2, usually requires two anchors to be placed. Bankart lesions occur between 2 o’clock and 6 o’clock. Separation of this total span also requires two anchors. These are estimates for stereotypical injuries. A really bad SLAP and Bankart labral tear may need seven anchors. It completely depends on the severity of the tear.