Region: Shoulder
A SLAP tear is an injury to the top part of the shoulder labrum, the cartilage ring that helps stabilize the shoulder joint. “SLAP” stands for Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior.
What is a SLAP tear?
A SLAP tear is an injury to the top part of the shoulder labrum, the cartilage ring that helps stabilize the shoulder joint. “SLAP” stands for Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior.
Symptoms
- Deep shoulder pain
- Clicking or popping
- Weakness
- Shoulder instability
- Pain with throwing or overhead movement
- Reduced range of motion
- Shoulder fatigue
- Pain with lifting or bench press
What does a SLAP tear feel like?
- Deep aching pain in the shoulder
- Sharp pain during throwing or lifting
- Clicking or catching sensation
- Weak or “dead arm” feeling
- Shoulder feels loose or unstable
- Pain after repetitive overhead activity
What are common causes of a SLAP tear?
- Repetitive throwing
- Heavy overhead lifting
- Falling on an outstretched arm
- Shoulder dislocation
- Sudden traction on the arm
Self check
- Deep pain with overhead movement
- Clicking or popping
- Weakness when lifting or throwing
- Feeling of shoulder instability
- Pain during bench press or throwing
- Reduced shoulder mobility
Educational only — not a medical diagnosis.
What to do now
- Stop overhead activity
- Ice the shoulder
- Avoid heavy pressing/pulling
- Begin gentle mobility only if pain allows
- Schedule evaluation if symptoms persist
Red flags
- Shoulder repeatedly slipping out
- Major weakness
- Loss of throwing velocity
- Night pain
- Inability to raise the arm
- Persistent catching/locking
Recovery tips
- Physical therapy is often first-line treatment
- Focus on rotator cuff and scapular stability
- Gradual throwing progression is important
- Some athletes recover without surgery
- Severe tears may require arthroscopic repair
Educational only. Not a medical diagnosis.