Question - SLAP TEAR (2-11 o'clock)

by Wayne Slack
(Bahrain)

My name is Wayne Slack I am a 42 yr old Male in the US. Navy stationed in Bahrain. My MRI revealed a 2:00-11:00 position tear. Is this a bad tear?


How long would it take to recovery from surgery? Is surgery required?
If surgery is not required could I hurt it even more by doing push-ups?

Thanks for any assistances you could provide and have a great day!

V/R

Wayne Slack

Comments for Question - SLAP TEAR (2-11 o'clock)

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 01, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Not the worst, but definitely something...
by: Bart - SII

First let me just say "Thank You" for the service you are providing for our country. I don't think our men and women in the armed forces hear that enough.

Sorry to hear about your injury. A 2:00-11:00 tear isn't really large, however, it is probably something that will necessitate surgery at some point - To describe the tear, think about the socket like a clock face. 12:00 is at the top, 3:00 to the front, 9:00 to the back, and 6:00 at the bottom. Your tear is from 11:00 to 2:00, so it encompasses the top portion of the shoulder labrum, from the back to the front. The SLAP stands for Superior Labrum, Anterior Posterior - or top, front to back.

The problem with SLAP tears is that this is where the biceps attaches, and depending on the extent of the tear, can continue to get worse with activities.

As far as surgery, if you go through rehab and continue to have problems with daily activities, it is probably needed to restore normal function. Push ups probably wouldn't make it too much worse, as long as you limited your depth, not letting your back drop below your elbows - pain would be a good guide - if they hurt, don't do them.

I am assuming you are in consultation with an orthopedic doctor - I would definitely talk to them about surgical intervention, options, recovery, etc. Normal recovery for a SLAP repair is probably somewhere around 4-6 months, depending on what type of activities you are involved in.

Here is more information about labral tears and surgery for repairing them.

Hope this helps - comment back with other questions.
Aug 01, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks for the SLAP TEAR info
by: Anonymous

Dear Sir,

I want to thank you for the information about a SLAP tear. I have been doing a lot of research on the internet but nothing would tell me how severe my SLAP TEAR was. I have a follow up appointment in a few weeks and the doctor recommended I should have the surgery. I just needed to know how long It was going to take to heal. Sir do you really think my 2-11 position SLAP TEAR will take 3-4 months to completely heal? how big of a cut do they make into your shoulder? Thanks again!!!

Sir it is my honor and pleasure serving this wonderful country or ours! Your thanks is all I need! I have a wife and three kids in Maryland, I want to ensure that my children and everyone elses children can have FREEDOM! I don't want to see my kids
do what I do. The military is not an easy life but it's something I chose to do at an early age and I love my job!! Thank you for your kind words!!! have a great day.

R,

Wayne
Aug 01, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		It is usually done arthroscopically...
by: Bart - SII

A SLAP repair is usually done arthroscopically - so you would have 3 small incisions around the shoulder - usually one in the front, one in the back, and one along the side - each is closed with one stitch, and usually they leave very small scars.

I do believe that it would take at least 3-4 months to completely heal and allow your return to full unrestricted activities. The labral repair involves reattaching the labrum (cartilage around the shoulder socket) back to the bone - they do this with anchors into the bone and sutures through the labrum. That tissue takes time to heal back strong, and 3-4 months is the minimum.

Now, you will most likely be able to do everyday things within a few weeks, but to be able to play sports or exercise strenuously with the shoulder, it takes several months.

I would agree with the doctor - this type of injury is usually treated best with surgery.

Please comment back with other questions.
Sep 02, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		what now?
by: Anonymous

No wonder all your pitches were low and less than legal! HA
Hit me up sometime.....stephen.j.selph@uscg.mil
Apr 15, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		WHAT!!
by: MCC I

Rub some dirt on it and get back out there you big sissy!
Jun 03, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Trying to Docs to help with SLAP tear
by: Anonymous

I have been diagnosed with a SLAP tear, don't know the clock position. This was diagnosed with an MRI, not a contrast dye MRI. I also have a bone spur, bursitis, and a larger than normal ligament. I have been in physical therapy since January, and in pain since November. I feel that I have lost enough sleep and spent enough time in physical therapy and the pain management clinic. I have lost a great deal of range of motion. When I started PT I was at 75% ROM, and now I am about 45%. I have lost muscle tone and strength. I need some advice.
Jun 03, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Trying to docs Slap tear advice
by: Anonymous

Hi,

If you have been in PT that long with worse results and have the other conditions with the tear, I would really consider the repair. Best of luck to you.
May 25, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Size means everything.
by: Ken

This person says he has a 2 - 11 slap tear. Wouldn't a 2 - 11 slap tear be very huge compared to a 11 - 2 slap tear????
Ken
Jun 29, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		3 months out
by: RW

I am 52. Had a tear from 8:00-2:00.Repaired with 3 anchors and bone spur removal. Surgery was done in late March. Range of motion is good. Cannot sleep in the bed. Pain is annoying, my wife reminds me Dr. said it would hurt 6 months out. I did not realize recovery meant pain. Inactivity is getting to me. Can anyone relate?
Jul 11, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		its not the length... it's how you position it...
by: Anonymous

"This person says he has a 2 - 11 slap tear. Wouldn't a 2 - 11 slap tear be very huge compared to a 11 - 2 slap tear????"

The S in slap is for superior. 11-2 2-11 doesn't matter.

Now a 2-11 'ilap' tear (inferior labrum anterior to posterior) would be really bad.... but I don't think the call it that...
Aug 16, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		confused
by: AAAA

Back in may i suffered a injury to my right shoulder in a hockey game. The pain was horrible i was told by a doc that it was just a sprain an to goto PT. After 4 weeks of PT i still had discomfort so i made an appointment with a specialist who stated i had a SLAP and he advised me to do another 4 weeks of PT. It has been a long process and today i feel so so i can do pushups and moderate weight lifting which i been doin at PT with lil pain. I expierence a slight deep in the shoulder clicking with slight discomfort once in awhile. Now goin on 3 months with no surgery an i feel some what ok just the slight discomfort i was wondering if i should avoid surgery or stay on the path i am giving it has been 3 months. My job is physical (police officer) and i still play alot of sports (26 yrs old) Can anyone give me some advise?
Aug 17, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Operation coming up Finally.
by: Anonymous

Finally going to be operated on on October 8th.
Injured my shoulder on Nov 26th 2009 that is how long it has taken me to finally get fixed:)
I can't wait.....pain is still bad.
I did have cortesone shot about 7 weeks ago that was fantastic absolutely no pain, it has now worn off completely and pain is back :(
I'll let you know how it goes...

Ken
Feb 18, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Ryan
by: Anonymous

Had a tear for many years and decided to get the surgery done. I had the surgery done in Late Aug. and it has been 6 months. I can do everything normal except for Throwing a baseball. I can do Pushups with no promblems and a certain amount of pull ups. They said at 6 months I can start light tossing of a baseball. Full recovery is 6-12 months. I did not experience any pain at all after the surgery. I am 33 years old and very active.
Aug 29, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Slap tear after surgery NEW
by: Anonymous

I had the arthroscopic surgery in August 09, I recently returned from Afghanistan and had a MRI with the injection. I have a SLAP tear. Lifting weights doesn't bother me except for the normal soreness but after pushups, I'm in pain. I usually do the minimum pushups and get up because I'm hurting the next day. I'm not sure what I am going to do now. Another surgery? Slap tear repair? Not feeling that. I've been in 16 years and planned on doing 14 more, but with this shoulder and the new APFT coming out? Idk.
May 14, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		surgery NEW
by: Anonymous

I have slap tear from the 10:00 to 12:00 position do I need surgery
May 14, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		surgery NEW
by: Anonymous

Hi i'm a 62 year old man with slap tear from the 10:00 position to the 12:00 position I have little pain unless I use my left arm to do certain exercises I'm planning to have surgery on June 3th but having second thoughts . what do you think?
Dec 08, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		didn't think this was common NEW
by: roman

Workout injury, It started with one day doing ab roll outs, i felt a pop in my back/shoulder. Didn't think nothing of it. Next week, Thurs. doing burn outs with bicep curls(bad form towards the end) and something in the front of my shoulder ripped. i could not lift my arm up for the next hour without it hurting. never got it checked out, due to not having health insurance... Until 8 months later when it really started hurting out of nowhere.
MRI concluded. I have torn labral at the 3:00 position.
Tried physical therapy for 2 months, which has gotten me stronger, but my shoulder still hurts and the pain hasn’t subdued.
So surgery?

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Sports Injury Answers - Shoulder.