A SLAP tear commonly involves which labral region and mechanism?

A SLAP tear commonly involves which labral region and mechanism?

• A. 10 to 2 o'clock tear of labrum; affects LH biceps; MOI -- throwing, overhead movements.
• B. Fraying of superior labrum without detachment.
• C. Bucket handle tear without detachment.
• D. Bucket handle tear extending into the biceps.

Answer: (A)

A SLAP tear is an injury to the superior labrum where the long head of the biceps tendon attaches. The most typical pattern is a tear of the superior labrum that extends anterior and posterior around the top rim of the glenoid, with involvement of the biceps tendon anchor. This occurs most often in athletes who perform repetitive overhead throwing or overhead motions, because the throwing mechanics place repetitive traction and shear stress at the biceps-labrum junction. That mechanism explains why a tear in this region is the classic presentation. Fraying of the superior labrum without detachment describes a milder, degenerative change rather than the common SLAP injury pattern, and bucket-handle variants are different tear configurations that are not as characteristic of the typical SLAP mechanism.

A SLAP tear is an injury to the superior labrum where the long head of the biceps tendon attaches. The most typical pattern is a tear of the superior labrum that extends anterior and posterior around the top rim of the glenoid, with involvement of the biceps tendon anchor. This occurs most often in athletes who perform repetitive overhead throwing or overhead motions, because the throwing mechanics place repetitive traction and shear stress at the biceps-labrum junction. That mechanism explains why a tear in this region is the classic presentation. Fraying of the superior labrum without detachment describes a milder, degenerative change rather than the common SLAP injury pattern, and bucket-handle variants are different tear configurations that are not as characteristic of the typical SLAP mechanism.