The glenoid labrum, which cushions and helps stabilize the shoulder joint, can tear as a result of injury.
(See also Overview of Sports Injuries.)
The shoulders are ball-and-socket joints that allow the arms to have inward and outward rotation as well as forward, backward, and sideways movement (see Shoulder Anatomy). The shoulder tends to be unstable. It has been likened to a golf ball sitting on a tee because the socket (glenoid bone) is very shallow and small compared to the size of the ball (humeral head). To enhance stability, the socket is deepened by the labrum, a rubbery material attached around the lip of the glenoid bone. The labrum can tear during athletic activities, especially during throwing sports, or as a result of falling and landing on an outstretched arm.
When the labrum tears, the athlete feels pain deep in the shoulder during movement, for example, when pitching a baseball. This discomfort may be accompanied by a painful clicking or clunking sensation and a feeling of catching in the shoulder.
Magnetic resonance arthrography may be needed for doctors to make a diagnosis.
Physical therapy is the usual initial treatment. If symptoms do not resolve, surgical repair is usually needed.
1. Lie on stomach with involved arm hanging off edge of bed with thumb pointed out away from body.
2. Keep elbow straig
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on uninvolved side with pillow between arm and body on the involved side.
2. Bend involved elbow to 90°.
3. Sque
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on stomach with involved arm down off edge of table and thumb pointed out away from body.
2. Squeeze shoulder bl
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on stomach on bed with involved arm out to the side, off edge of bed and elbow bent to 90° with thumb toward the
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Begin with arm at side, keep elbow straight and thumb up.
2. Move arm forward approximately 30°.
3. In this positi
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Place one end of elastic band to a secure object at waist level.
2. Place pillow or towel roll between elbow and bod
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Place one end of elastic band to a secure object at waist level.
2. Place pillow or towel roll between elbow and bod
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Hold weight in hand on involved side.
2. Slightly bend hips and knees and support upper body with other hand placed
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on stomach with involved arm hanging off edge of bed with thumb pointed out away from body.
2. Keep elbow straight and extend arm to trunk level while squeezing the scapula down and back.
3. Return to starting position.
4. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
5. Add light weight as tolerated.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on uninvolved side with pillow between arm and body on the involved side.
2. Bend involved elbow to 90°.
3. Squeeze the shoulder blade toward spine and downward.
4. Move forearm up by rotating at the shoulder, so the back of the hand is up toward the ceiling.
5. Slowly return to start position and repeat.
6. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day.
7. Add light weight as tolerated.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on stomach with involved arm down off edge of table and thumb pointed out away from body.
2. Squeeze shoulder blade toward spine and downward.
3. Lift arm upward to shoulder level.
4. Lower arm toward the floor and repeat.
5. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day.
6. Special instructions
a. Do not let shoulder blade move when lifting arm.
b. Keep thumb facing up toward the ceiling.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on stomach on bed with involved arm out to the side, off edge of bed and elbow bent to 90° with thumb toward the body.
2. Squeeze shoulder blade toward spine and downward.
3. Rotate forearm upward.
4. Return to start position and repeat.
5. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day.
6. Special instructions
a. Do not let shoulder blade move when lifting forearm.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Begin with arm at side, keep elbow straight and thumb up.
2. Move arm forward approximately 30°.
3. In this position raise arm up staying in a pain-free range.
4. Return to starting position.
5. Do 3 sets of 10 repetition, 1 time a day.
6. Add light weight as tolerated.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Place one end of elastic band to a secure object at waist level.
2. Place pillow or towel roll between elbow and body on involved side.
3. Grasp band in involved hand, with elbow bent to 90° and thumb up.
4. Externally rotate arm, then slowly return to start position.
5. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day.
6. Special instructions
a. Start with least resistance band.
b. Keep arm at side and elbow flexed at 90°.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Place one end of elastic band to a secure object at waist level.
2. Place pillow or towel roll between elbow and body on involved side.
3. Grasp band with involved hand, with elbow bent to 90° and thumb up.
4. Internally rotate arm (pull hand inward across body), then slowly return to start position.
5. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day.
6. Special instructions
a. Start with least resistance band.
b. Keep arm at side and elbow flexed at 90°.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Hold weight in hand on involved side.
2. Slightly bend hips and knees and support upper body with other hand placed on table or bed.
3. Bend elbow to 90° and raise elbow to shoulder height by retracting (squeezing) the scapula.
4. Return to start position.
5. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day.
6. Special instructions
a. Start with 1 to 2 pound (0.5 to 1 kg) weight (ie, a soup can).
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
