Shoulder pain, instability, or a catching sensation during movement can be frustrating and affect daily activities or sporting performance. One possible cause is a SLAP tear, an injury to the labrum of the shoulder. At GRIT, we provide personalised treatment plans for SLAP tears, helping you reduce pain, regain stability, and return to your normal activities with confidence.

What Is a SLAP Tear

A SLAP tear (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) is an injury to the top part of the labrum, the ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket. This cartilage helps stabilise the shoulder joint and allows smooth, controlled movement. SLAP tears can occur from trauma, repetitive overhead movements, or age-related degeneration.

Symptoms and Signs

Common signs of a SLAP tear include:

  • Pain deep in the shoulder, especially during overhead movements
  • A catching, popping, or grinding sensation in the joint
  • Weakness or difficulty lifting objects
  • Reduced range of motion, particularly when reaching behind or above the head
  • Discomfort during sports or daily activities requiring overhead motion

Early assessment is important to prevent further instability or irritation of the shoulder.

Causes and Risk Factors

SLAP tears often result from:

  • Repetitive overhead activities such as throwing, swimming, or weightlifting
  • Acute trauma, like falling on an outstretched arm
  • Age-related wear and tear in the labrum
  • Shoulder instability or previous shoulder injuries
  • Muscle imbalances around the shoulder and scapula

Identifying the cause helps GRIT tailor an effective treatment plan for your specific needs.

How GRIT Can Help

At GRIT, we provide evidence-based physiotherapy for SLAP tears, focusing on reducing pain, restoring stability, and improving shoulder function.

Our treatments may include:

  • Manual therapy to improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness
  • Targeted rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff, scapular stabilisers, and surrounding muscles
  • Movement retraining to improve overhead mechanics and reduce stress on the labrum
  • Activity modification and load management to allow healing while maintaining fitness
  • Education and guidance on return to sport or work activities safely

For some cases, surgery may be required if conservative management does not fully restore function or stability. GRIT works closely with patients to navigate both non-surgical and post-surgical rehab pathways.