Other Services

Emergency Cases

Please feel welcome to contact in case of an emergency. We would be more happy to help you out. 

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday
09.00 – 22:00

WHAT IS A SLAP LESION?
A serious injury of the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) that may take time to be diagnosed, occurs when the glenoid labrum is torn, the fibrocartilaginous rim attached around the margin of the glenoid cavity that deepens the socket of the shoulder joint. SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) tears are amongst the most common shoulder injuries and – as the acronym suggests - occur in the upper part of the cartilage, where the long head of the biceps tendon attaches to the labrum and a highly complicated anatomical complex is formed.

HIGH RISK GROUPS
Apart from degenerative SLAP tears in ageing patients, SLAP tears are primarily associated with individuals who participate in sports, and in particular overhead-throwing athletes. SLAP tears are frequently accompanied by other shoulder injuries, for example rotator cuff tears, which obstruct accurate diagnosis, despite the detailed medical history taken by the orthopedist and the correct clinical examination of the shoulder.
SLAP tears may not be apparent on an MRI scan. If the symptoms don’t subside then an MR arthrography of the shoulder is the method of choice for SLAP tear demonstration. A shoulder arthroscopy is necessary for an accurate diagnosis. During this particular procedure, the torn glenoid labrum is repaired, by a specific surgical technique and usually using bioabsorbable anchors.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE SURGERY?
Depending on the type of SLAP tear, the surgical procedure may involve removal of the damaged tissue in the injured area, as well as the fixation of the glenoid labrum that is compressed on the rim of the socket of the shoulder joint in order to be reattached in its normal position and heal.  Nonetheless, there are cases where the tear of the upper point of the glenoid labrum is too complex or the biceps tendon has also been affected, making it impossible to repair.
As a general rule, in patients over the age of thirty, biceps tenotomy or tenodesis of the long head of the biceps is the optimal choice – this tendon contributes in shoulder stability only when very sudden movements are made. This means that after the surgery, a normal functionality of the joint is preserved.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SURGERY?
A sling is used postoperatively for approximately four weeks. Physiotherapy sessions must begin one week after the surgery, in order to avoid scarring and shoulder stiffness. After the initial four-week period, the doctor will consult the patient to start raising his arm unassisted, whereas strengthening exercises are recommended after 8 weeks, in order to build up the rotator cuff.                                                                                                                           Around four months after the surgery, a return to athletic activities is possible. 

Do you need a
Second Opinion

Are you sure about the diagnosis and the treatment that has been suggested to you? Fill in the form below to request a second opinion from Dr. Konstantinos Indzoglou.

    Make an
    Appointment

    And we will contact you!

      Add testimonial description here. Edit and place your own text.

      John Doe

      Codetic

      Add testimonial description here. Edit and place your own text.

      Jane Doe

      Codetic

      need help?

      Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adi pisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.