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= __Introduction__ =

The labrum is a very rare injury yet why has it occurred so much in our school over the past year and a half? The labrum is the cartilage around the ball and socket joint of your shoulder. Its functions are to keep your shoulder in place and allow it to move freely for your normal range of motion. Without it, your bones would be rubbing together and it would be extremely painful. There are 3 types of tears: SLAP tears, Bankart lesions, and posterior labral tears. SLAP tears are most common, and Dr. Jonathan Cluett says, “ A SLAP tear is a type of labral tear most commonly seen in overhead throwing athletes such as baseball players and tennis players. The torn labrum seen in a SLAP tear is at the top of the shoulder socket where the bicep tendon attaches to the shoulder" (Cluetts "Arthroscopy" 2). A Bankart Lesion is less common but Dr. Jonathan Cluett describes it as, “A Bankart lesion is a labral tear that occurs when a shoulder dislocates . When the shoulder comes out of joint, the labrum is torn, and makes the shoulder more susceptible to future dislocations" (Cluetts "Arthroscopy" 2). The last type of tear is the Posterior Labrum tear which he describes as, “Posterior Labral tears are less common, but sometimes seen in athletes in a condition called internal impingement. In this syndrome, the rotator cuff and labrum are pinched together in the back of the shoulder" (Cluetts "Arthroscopy" 2). To learn more about each type of tear, click the provided links to the right.