The shoulder joint is compromised of three bones: the clavicle (collar bone), the scapula (shoulder blade) and the humerus. The humerus rests in a socket called the glenoid.
The labrum is a soft fibrous tissue rim that surrounds the socket thereby stabilizing the shoulder joint. The labrum is also the site of attachment of several ligaments.
Tears in the labrum can cause pain, catching, locking, popping, grinding, loss of range of motion and weakness.
Labrum tears are located either above (superior) or below (inferior) the middle of the glenoid socket. A tear above the middle of the socket is referred to as a SLAP (superior labrum, anterior to posterior) lesion. It can be associated with tears in the biceps tendon.
Labrum tears below the middle of the glenoid socket are called a Bankart lesion. This lesion can be associated with tears in the inferior glenohumeral ligament.
Treatment typically involves shoulder surgery where the “damaged” labrum is removed and torn tendons are reattached with suture or wires.
Rather than cutting out the torn portion of the labrum why not regenerate it? Patients now how have that option through Regenexx where their own stem cells are injected into the area of damage to regenerate the injured tissue. Regenexx is a simple needle in-needle out procedure.
Get back to your normal with the less invasive alternative.
