Dr Puah Ken Lee 潘健理
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Shoulder, Elbow & Sports Injuries
Practising at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore
Appointments by prior arrangement
Dr Puah Ken Lee 潘健理
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Shoulder, Elbow & Sports Injuries
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore
✔ Subspecialty Focus in Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Injuries
✔ Practising at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
✔ Evidence-based treatment, Individualised Care
Shoulder Labral Tear
A shoulder labral tear is an injury to the ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket. The labrum plays an important role in keeping the shoulder stable while allowing it to move through a wide range of motion.
Labral tears may occur after a traumatic injury such as a shoulder dislocation, repetitive overhead sports, or gradual wear over time. Depending on the location and severity of the tear, patients may experience pain, clicking, instability or weakness.
Not every labral tear requires surgery. Treatment depends on your symptoms, examination findings, activity level and the type of tear present.
What is the Shoulder Labrum?
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint.
The socket (glenoid) is relatively shallow. The labrum is a ring of strong fibrocartilage that surrounds the socket, making it deeper and improving stability.
The labrum also provides attachment for:
- Shoulder ligaments
- Joint capsule
- The long head of the biceps tendon
Damage to the labrum may affect shoulder stability, movement and function.
What Causes a Shoulder Labral Tear?
Labral tears can occur following either an acute injury or repetitive stress.
Common causes include:
- Shoulder dislocation
- Fall onto an outstretched arm
- Direct impact to the shoulder
- Heavy lifting
- Repetitive overhead throwing
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Swimming
- Weightlifting
- Degenerative changes with age
Symptoms of a Shoulder Labral Tear
Symptoms vary depending on the location of the tear.
Common symptoms include:
- Deep shoulder pain
- Clicking or catching
- Locking sensation
- Pain during overhead activities
- Shoulder weakness
- Reduced sporting performance
- Feeling that the shoulder may slip out
- Night pain
Some patients mainly experience pain, while others develop recurrent shoulder instability.
Types of Shoulder Labral Tears
Several different patterns of labral injury exist.
SLAP Tear
A SLAP tear affects the superior (upper) part of the labrum where the long head of the biceps tendon attaches.
It is commonly seen in:
- Throwing athletes
- Racquet sports
- Weightlifters
- Falls onto an outstretched arm
Typical symptoms include pain during overhead activity, clicking and reduced sporting performance.
Bankart Tear
A Bankart tear involves the front (anterior) part of the labrum.
It most commonly occurs after an anterior shoulder dislocation and increases the risk of recurrent shoulder instability.
Typical symptoms include:
- Shoulder slipping out
- Apprehension during overhead movement
- Recurrent dislocations
Posterior Labral Tear
Posterior labral tears occur at the back of the shoulder.
These injuries are less common but may occur in:
- Weightlifters
- Rugby players
- Contact sports
- Repetitive pushing activities
Patients often report pain rather than obvious instability.
Read more: Posterior Shoulder Instability
Degenerative Labral Tears
As we age, mild fraying of the labrum becomes increasingly common.
Many degenerative tears cause no symptoms and are found incidentally on MRI.
Treatment focuses on the patient’s symptoms rather than MRI findings alone.
How is a Shoulder Labral Tear Diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a detailed history and physical examination.
Your orthopaedic surgeon will assess:
- Location of pain
- Shoulder stability
- Range of motion
- Muscle strength
- Sports participation
- Previous injuries
Different examination tests help identify specific labral injuries.
Imaging
X-rays
X-rays help exclude fractures, arthritis and shoulder dislocations but do not directly show the labrum.
MRI
MRI is the most useful investigation for assessing the labrum.
In some cases, an MRI arthrogram provides additional detail, particularly in younger patients with suspected instability.
It is important to note that MRI findings should always be interpreted together with your symptoms and examination, as some labral changes may represent normal ageing rather than the source of pain.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Many labral tears improve without surgery.
Treatment may include:
- Activity modification
- Physiotherapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Ultrasound-guided injections in selected cases
- Progressive strengthening of the shoulder muscles
The aim is to restore shoulder function while reducing pain.
When is Surgery Recommended?
Surgery may be considered when patients have:
- Persistent pain despite rehabilitation
- Recurrent shoulder instability
- Mechanical symptoms such as locking
- High-demand sporting requirements
- Significant traumatic labral injuries
The decision is individualised and depends on the specific type of tear, your age and your functional goals.
Surgical Treatment
Most symptomatic labral tears are treated arthroscopically through small keyhole incisions.
Procedures may include:
- Arthroscopic labral repair
- Capsular tightening
- Biceps tenodesis (for selected SLAP tears)
- Debridement of unstable tissue
Associated injuries such as rotator cuff tears or bone loss may be treated during the same operation.
Recovery
Recovery depends on the procedure performed.
Typical recovery includes:
| Activity | Approximate Time |
|---|---|
| Sling | 3–6 weeks |
| Physiotherapy | Begins early |
| Strengthening | 8–12 weeks |
| Office work | 1–2 weeks |
| Driving | 4–6 weeks |
| Return to sport | 4–6 months |
Recovery is guided by healing of the repaired labrum and restoration of shoulder strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every labral tear painful?
No. Some labral tears are discovered incidentally on MRI and do not require treatment.
Can physiotherapy heal a labral tear?
Physiotherapy cannot repair the torn cartilage itself, but it can strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve shoulder stability. Many patients achieve excellent function without surgery.
Is a labral tear the same as a rotator cuff tear?
No. The labrum is cartilage that helps stabilise the shoulder socket, while the rotator cuff consists of tendons that move and support the shoulder.
Will I need surgery?
Not necessarily. Many patients recover with structured rehabilitation. Surgery is generally reserved for persistent symptoms, recurrent instability or high-demand athletes.
Why Choose Dr Puah Ken Lee?
Dr Puah Ken Lee is an orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore whose practice focuses on shoulder, elbow and sports injuries. He has extensive experience treating shoulder instability and labral injuries using both non-surgical and arthroscopic techniques. Every treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s symptoms, examination findings, imaging and personal goals.
Related Pages
- First Orthopaedic Consultation
- Shoulder Pain
- Shoulder Instability
- Shoulder Dislocation
- SLAP Tear
- Bankart Tear
- Posterior Shoulder Instability
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Biceps Tendon Tear
- Shoulder Surgery
- Sports Injuries
- Return to Sport After Injury
For a full overview of shoulder conditions, visit Shoulder Specialist Singapore
Dr Puah is regularly invited to teach shoulder surgery internationally
Specialist Care for Shoulder Injuries in Singapore
Dr Puah is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in shoulder, elbow and sports injuries. He provides personalised care tailored to each patient’s condition and activity level.
Consultations are available at Mount Elizabeth Novena.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain that is affecting your daily life or sports, early assessment can help guide appropriate treatment.
Book a consultation or contact the clinic to discuss your condition.
Book a Consultation
Book a consultation or contact the clinic via WhatsApp to get started
Book a consultation at 360 Orthopaedics, Mount Elizabeth Novena
Shoulder labral tears are common but treatable. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can improve outcomes and prevent long-term problems.
Dr Puah Ken Lee is an orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore specialising in shoulder, elbow and sports injuries at 360 Orthopaedics, Mount Elizabeth Novena. Patients with persistent shoulder pain are encouraged to seek specialist evaluation.