Labral tear
Read Your Scan Editorial Team·Last updated
Written from published radiology references and reviewed for plain language. Not written or signed by a physician, and not a diagnosis. How we write these pages →
In plain language
A tear of the cartilage rim around the shoulder socket. It can relate to instability or injury. Your doctor considers whether it fits your symptoms.
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Where you'll see this
This wording turns up on Shoulder MRI reports — MRI imaging of the shoulder. A shoulder MRI shows the rotator cuff muscles and tendons, the labrum (the cartilage rim of the socket), the biceps tendon, the joint surfaces, and the surrounding bones. Doctors order it for shoulder pain, weakness, limited movement, or after an injury. Some changes, like mild tendon wear, are common with age and may not fully explain symptoms — your doctor connects the images to your exam.
Questions worth asking your doctor
- Do the MRI findings explain the pain or weakness I feel?
- Is any finding likely age-related rather than from a recent injury?
- What are my options, including physical therapy and other non-surgical care?
- If there is a tear, does it need surgery or can it be managed conservatively?
- Do I need any follow-up, and when?
How common is this?
Labral tears, involving the ring of cartilage that deepens the shoulder socket, are common both in younger athletes after a dislocation or overhead throwing motion and in older adults as part of general shoulder wear. Many labral tears are found incidentally and cause no symptoms at all.
When should I worry?
Ongoing catching, popping, a feeling of instability, or repeated dislocations are the symptoms most associated with a labral tear that needs orthopedic evaluation. A labral tear found on MRI without these symptoms is usually not something to worry about.
What happens next
Physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding shoulder muscles is the first step for most labral tears and works well for many people, especially those without true instability. Tears causing recurrent dislocation or significant catching, particularly in younger or athletic patients, are more often referred for surgical repair.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a labral tear mean my shoulder is unstable?
- Not always. Some labral tears are stable and cause only mild discomfort, while others, especially after a dislocation, do lead to a looser, less stable joint. Your doctor's exam for instability matters as much as the MRI finding.
- Can a torn labrum heal without surgery?
- The labrum has limited blood supply so it doesn't always heal back to its original shape, but many people become pain-free and functional through physical therapy alone without the tear itself closing. Surgery is reserved for cases with ongoing instability or mechanical symptoms.
- Is a SLAP tear the same thing as a labral tear?
- A SLAP tear is one specific type of labral tear, affecting the top part of the labrum where the biceps tendon attaches. It's treated using the same general principles as other labral tears, guided by your symptoms.
Other words on the same report
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