Top board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tehrany keeps his NYC and Staten Island patients well-informed on the symptoms and treatment options for superior labrum tears
SLAP Tears Explained: From Shoulder Pain to Full Recovery
A SLAP tear is a painful rip in the shoulder’s labrum, the cartilage ring that grips the ball of the joint, exactly where the biceps tendon anchors. The damage ignites sharp pain, clicks, and draining weakness that can even tingle down to the hand. At Manhattan Orthopedic Care, you’ll see Dr. Armin Tehrany, a nano‑instrument arthroscopy pioneer whose highly successful techniques restore power and confidence faster than traditional care.
How Can a SLAP Tear Affect Your Everyday Life
Living with a SLAP tear in New York often feels like carrying a small but relentless weight on your shoulder throughout the day. Even simple motions like reaching into a cupboard or fastening a seat‑belt can spark sharp reminders that your labrum SLAP tear is still there. Over time, guarding the joint alters posture and mechanics, sometimes leading to neck tension or a compensatory posterior superior labral tear on the opposite side.
- Sudden or lingering pain when reaching overhead or behind the back
- Annoying clicking or popping that makes you wary of movement
- Night‑time throbbing that wakes you or makes side‑sleeping impossible
- Loss of strength that hampers throwing, swimming, carrying groceries, or lifting a backpack
- Fatigue and frustration from constant guarding, affecting focus at work or class
Causes of a Shoulder Labral Tear
SLAP tears can be caused by trauma to the shoulder, or by repetitive motions, such as continuous throwing (baseball) or lifting (weight lifting). Some examples of trauma that may cause a superior labrum anterior and posterior tear include:
- Falling onto an arm while it is outstretched
- Forceful movement of the arm above shoulder level
- A dislocated shoulder
- When the arm is pulled with significant force
Wear and tear on the labrum also causes common issues for people over the age of 40 years.
Symptoms of a Torn Labrum
Unless pain is experienced in the shoulder, patients often think nothing of the symptoms associated with a superior labrum tear. Symptoms of a SLAP tear include:
- A feeling of instability in the shoulder
- A decreased range of motion
- Experiencing a locking or grinding sensation
- Reduced strength in the shoulder and arm
The diagnosis of a SLAP lesion tear is complex and is often not picked up during MRI or CT scans. Thus, consulting with an experienced orthopedic surgeon who specializes like Dr. Armin Tehrany in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder injuries in Staten Island and New York is paramount to your healing.
Treatment Options For Labrum Tear Repair
SLAP tear treatment options depend on the type of tear, and this can be categorized into three main types of tears.
- Torn off the bone completely
- Torn along the labrum edge
- Torn at the attachment point of the bicep tendon
Dr. Armin Tehrany may request magnetic resonance imaging or CT scans to determine the extent of your injury. They may also do arthroscopic surgery during which a tiny camera is inserted through a small incision to have a look inside your ball and socket joint.
Treatment options may include:
- Rest
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Cortisone injections
- Physical therapy
Surgical treatment options:
If physical therapy, rest, and injections haven’t relieved your symptoms, surgery becomes the most reliable path to full recovery. Dr. Tehrany performs arthroscopic procedures that resolve the root problem rather than masking pain.
- SLAP repair arthroscopic surgery – re‑anchors the torn labrum for lasting stability. This two‑portal outpatient procedure restores the shoulder’s suction seal and stops catching.
- Biceps tenodesis – relocates the long‑head biceps tendon to ease front‑of‑shoulder pain. It shields the repaired labrum while preserving overhead power.
- Labral debridement – removes frayed tissue that triggers catching and inflammation. The cleaned surface allows smoother movement and faster relief.
Why Choose Manhattan Orthopedic Care for Your Treatment?
At Manhattan Orthopedic Care, every SLAP Tear in New York problem is evaluated by Dr. Armin Tehrany, a board‑certified orthopedic surgeon and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai. Renowned for minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy, Dr. Tehrany has been featured in peer‑reviewed journals and is repeatedly named a New York Magazine “Top Doctor” and Castle Connolly Top Doctor, bringing academic‑level precision to a boutique practice.
- Proven patient satisfaction – 500+ verified five‑star reviews and thousands of success stories
- Fast, flexible access – two NYC offices plus 24/7 phone and online scheduling
- Conservative‑first approach – 80 % of patients recover without surgery while advanced arthroscopy remains on‑site when needed
Good Candidates For Treatment
You may benefit from intervention at Manhattan Orthopedic Care if pain, weakness, or instability persists despite rest and physical therapy.
- Athletes or laborers with a confirmed type I slap tear who cannot return to activity
- Patients diagnosed with a type II slap tear or posterior superior labral tear seeking arthroscopic repair
- Individuals advised to consider biceps tenodesis slap tear surgery after failed conservative care
- Anyone in New York whose labral damage hinders daily tasks or sleep
Consult Staten Island’s Trusted Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Tehrany is a recognized orthopedic specialist in shoulder injuries and conditions. He is a board-certified sought-after New York orthopedic surgeon who is widely published as a contributing expert to a number of journal articles. Book your appointment at Manhattan Orthopedic Care and consult with Dr. Armin M. Tehrany for SLAP tear diagnosis and treatment.
