When the Shoulder Fails: Understanding Labral Tears and Sports Recovery

While many people are familiar with meniscus injuries and ACL tears, when they hear they've injured their labrum - the question marks pop up a'plenty. What exactly is going on with this injury and what can three orthopedic surgeons tell us about it? That and the process of recovery after this injury are the focus of this episode of The 6 to 8 Weeks Podcast... Connect with The 6-8 Weeks Podcast: There's a LOT of detail included in this program. Do you want to share YOUR perspective about it? Connect with The 6-8 Weeks Podcast Now! Subscribe to, Like and Share The 6-8 Weeks Podcast Everywhere:               The Detailed Shownotes for This Episode of The 6-8 Weeks Podcast: Questions Answered Inside This Episode; 1. What are the primary roles of the labrum in shoulder stability and function, and how does a labral tear impact these roles? 2. Can you describe the differences between the various types of labral tears, such as Bankart and SLAP tears, and how their treatments might differ? 3. Why are superior labral tears commonly found in aging populations, and how should this influence our approach to diagnosis and treatment? 4. What factors contribute to the long recovery time for labral tear surgeries, despite the procedure itself being relatively straightforward? 5. How do the hosts differentiate between a labral tear that needs surgical intervention and one that can be managed conservatively? 6. Could you elaborate on the potential implications of a biceps tenodesis procedure for middle-aged or older athletes with labral tears? 7. In what ways might our understanding of the biceps's role in shoulder mechanics change the future of labral tear treatment, especially for elite athletes? 8. What are the particular challenges in managing labral injuries in pediatric and adolescent populations, as compared to adults? 9. How can we effectively communicate MRI results pertaining to labral tears to patients, ensuring they understand what findings are clinically significant versus age-related changes? 10. What are the key considerations for a clinician when deciding whether an in-season athlete with a labral tear should continue to play or rest and undergo therapy? Timestamps from This Episode of The 6-8 Weeks Podcast: 06:19 Siakam's shoulder injury hampers elite performance. 10:00 Young throwing athletes may experience shoulder injuries due to throwing. MRI may show labral pathology, often incidental. Management includes monitoring pain, rest, and potential physical therapy. Caution is advised to avoid worsening the condition. 13:35 Labrum tear treatment options: rest, therapy, surgery. 14:40 Avoid surgery over 37 to prevent 33% failure. Connect with the Hosts of The 6-8 Weeks Podcast: It's never been easier to connect with the hosts of The 6-8 Weeks Podcast. Read on below to share your perspectives on this episode of The 6-8 Weeks Podcast. === Connect with Dr. Brian Feeley: On the Web -- On X === Connect with Dr. Nirav Pandya: On the Web:-- On X:  === Connect with Dr. Drew Lansdown: On the Web