SLAP tear repair surgery, or arthroscopic SLAP tear surgery, is often done to repair damaged shoulder cartilage, called a SLAP tear. The ‘SLAP’ stands for Superior Labrum, Anterior to Posterior.
The L in SLAP refers to your glenoid labrum. Your labrum cushions the top part of your upper arm bone, or humerus. This cushion helps your upper arm bone stay in place in your shoulder socket. Your labrum is also a connection point between your shoulder blade socket and one of your bicep tendons.
The S in SLAP refers to the top of your labrum. When this part of your labrum tears, your upper arm bone loses its cushion, and your bicep tendon loses its connection to your shoulder blade socket. As a result, your shoulder hurts and feels unstable.
Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and regional nerve block. You will usually go home on the same day as your operation and prescribed painkillers for use in the first few days following surgery.
