Labral Tear

What is the Condition?

A labral tear is damage to the labrum, the cartilage ring around the shoulder socket. The labrum helps keep the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) secure in the socket while still allowing the shoulder to move freely.

Because the shoulder has a very wide range of motion, it relies on the labrum and surrounding muscles for stability. When the labrum is torn, the shoulder may become painful, weak, unstable, or feel like it catches during movement.

Common types of shoulder labral tear include:

SLAP tear

A tear in the top part of the labrum. This is often linked to throwing sports, lifting, or sudden traction injuries.

Bankart lesion

A tear in the front part of the labrum, often associated with shoulder dislocation or instability.

Reverse Bankart tear

A tear in the back part of the labrum, usually linked to posterior instability or trauma.

Many patients search for this problem as:

• torn shoulder labrum
• labrum tear in shoulder
• shoulder cartilage tear
• shoulder clicking and pain
• unstable shoulder after injury

Causes

A shoulder labral tear may happen suddenly or develop gradually over time.

Common causes include:

• fall onto the shoulder
• direct blow to the shoulder
• shoulder dislocation
• sports injury
• heavy lifting
• sudden pulling injury
• repetitive overhead movement
• throwing sports
• wear and tear with age
• degeneration of the cartilage over time

Traumatic tears are common in younger active people, while degenerative labral tears may be more common in older adults.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a shoulder labral tear can vary depending on the size and location of the tear.

Common symptoms include:

• shoulder pain
• deep aching in the shoulder
• pain during certain shoulder movements
• clicking in the shoulder
• catching or locking sensation
• grinding sensation
• weakness
• reduced shoulder function
• feeling of instability
• repeated shoulder slipping or dislocation

Some people search for these symptoms using phrases such as:

• shoulder clicking with pain
• shoulder feels unstable
• painful popping in shoulder
• shoulder catches when lifting arm
• deep shoulder pain after injury

What Should I Do?

If you think you may have a shoulder labral tear, it is best to get assessed early.

You should:

• avoid movements that worsen your pain
• reduce heavy lifting and overhead activity
• rest the shoulder from aggravating tasks
• use a sling if advised by a medical professional
• arrange a physiotherapy assessment
• seek further imaging or orthopaedic review if symptoms are severe or not improving

A physiotherapist can assess your shoulder symptoms, movement, strength, and stability, and help decide whether conservative treatment is appropriate or whether further referral may be needed.

Physiotherapy Treatment

Physiotherapy is often one of the best treatments for a shoulder labral tear, especially when the tear does not require immediate surgery.

At ACE Physio Sports, your physiotherapy programme is tailored to the type of labral tear, the amount of pain, and your activity goals.

Assessment

Your physiotherapist may assess:

• the history of your shoulder injury
• pain location
• shoulder range of motion
• shoulder strength
• instability signs
• clicking or catching symptoms
• function in daily activities and sport

Physiotherapy treatment may include

• activity modification to reduce irritation
• pain management strategies
• guided mobility exercises
• gentle range of motion work
• rotator cuff strengthening
• scapular stability exercises
• progressive shoulder strengthening
• functional rehabilitation
• sports-specific rehab where needed
• post-surgical rehab if surgery has been performed

Initial treatment often focuses on calming symptoms and protecting the shoulder. Once pain improves, strengthening exercises are introduced to improve muscle support around the joint and restore confidence in movement.

If surgery is needed

If the tear is severe or does not improve enough with physiotherapy, surgery may be recommended. After surgery, rehabilitation focuses on:

• protecting the repair
• restoring movement
• rebuilding shoulder strength
• improving control and stability
• returning safely to work, gym, or sport

Post-surgical rehabilitation usually follows the surgeon’s protocol and progresses step by step.

What Shouldn’t I Do?

If you have a shoulder labral tear, avoid:

• pushing through sharp shoulder pain
• repeated heavy overhead lifting
• activities that cause the shoulder to slip or feel unstable
• returning to sport too early
• ignoring recurrent dislocations or instability
• stopping rehab too soon once pain improves

Trying to continue aggravating activity can delay recovery and may increase shoulder instability.

Long-Term Effects or Recovery

Most people recover well from a shoulder labral tear with the right treatment plan.

Recovery depends on:

• the type of labral tear
• whether there is shoulder instability
• whether dislocations have occurred
• your activity demands
• whether surgery is needed
• how well you follow your rehabilitation programme

Many patients return to normal daily activity, gym training, work, and sport after structured physiotherapy. If instability keeps recurring, the risk of repeat injury may be higher, especially without full rehabilitation.

With proper treatment and a thorough rehab programme, the risk of long-term problems is usually much lower.

Why Choose ACE Physio Sports

At ACE Physio Sports, we provide personalised treatment for:

• shoulder labral tears
• SLAP tears
• Bankart lesions
• shoulder instability
• post-surgical shoulder rehabilitation
• sports shoulder injuries

Why patients choose us:

• clear diagnosis and rehab planning
• personalised exercise programmes
• sports injury physiotherapy expertise
• focus on shoulder stability and function
• step-by-step recovery guidance
• patient-friendly explanations

If you are looking for shoulder labral tear physiotherapy in Singapore, ACE Physio Sports on East Coast Road can help guide your recovery.

Book Appointment

If you have shoulder pain, clicking, catching, or feel that your shoulder is unstable, book an assessment with ACE Physio Sports.

ACE Physio Sports Website: acephysiosport.com Phone: +65 81535374 Email: admin@acephysiosport.com

Book your physiotherapy appointment today.