With the term Slap Lesion it is usually understood the anatomic condition of a lesion of the anteriorsuperior part of the glenoid labrum associated with the detachment of the tendon of the long head of biceps. This is an injury that can appear after a violent movement in throw sports or fall on the limb.
The arising of symptoms is rarely due to a definite trauma. More commonly the clinic history refers to various traumatic episodes during the “overhead” activity. Very often you can also be able to reproduce the dislocation voluntarily and it usually occurs in a throw position.
You probably feel pain when resting and it tends to worsen when performing overhead movements, being adjoined by the sensation of “joint” of the humeral head, laxity and articular noises. The patient may present with difficulty in activities of daily living such as dressing and undressing.
The clinical diagnosis is supplemented by Rx and MRI but the greatest diagnostic accuracy is provided by arthro-RMN with added special dynamic projections.
In milder cases, surgery can be avoided with the abolition of “overhead” sports or work gestures that stress the injury.
Rehabilitation should emphasize strengthening the intrarotator muscles while trying to regain full articulation as quickly as possible but without forcing extrarotation. Stretching exercises of the capsule and posterior cuff can relieve symptoms.
