Check out our January 2024 Newsletter, highlighting managing shoulder labral tears with physical therapy, benefits of core strengthening for athletic performance, setting SMART fitness goals, and winter donation drive thank you.

A shoulder labral tear can result from the labrum becoming frayed over time due to intense repetitive activity or from an acute trauma like a direct blow, fall, or dislocation. The shoulder labrum is a ring of fibro-cartilage tissue that surrounds the rim of the glenoid on the scapula, providing stability to the shoulder joint. Physical therapy plays a crucial role in the management and rehabilitation of shoulder labral tears and can help athletes with shoulder labral tears regain strength, stability, function, and range of motion in the shoulder joint for a safe return to sport.

Overhead throwing is an extremely complex movement that places significant stress on the shoulder joint of a pitcher. The shoulder is a hypermobile joint that is susceptible to injury from the repetitive high stress of pitching. Upper extremity injuries comprise more than half of all baseball injuries, the majority of which are shoulder injuries and affect pitchers more than position players. Physical therapy can effectively treat baseball-related shoulder injuries and help pitchers prevent injury through a throwing mechanics assessment and pre-season conditioning program. A successful rehabilitation program is multi-phased, gradually re-introducing the functional demands of the pitcher’s position for a safe return to sport.

Check out our infographic on shoulder labral tear treatment with physical therapy! A shoulder labral tear occurs when the labrum is disrupted, frayed, or torn, leading to shoulder pain and shoulder joint instability. Physical therapy can help those with shoulder labral tears regain strength, stability, and range of motion in the shoulder joint.

A shoulder labral tear involves partial or total separation of the labrum from the shoulder socket, often due to excessive trauma to the joint from overuse or direct injury. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the rim of the shoulder socket, providing stability to the shoulder joint and a cushion to the shoulder during activity. Physical therapy can help those with shoulder labral tears regain strength, stability, and range of motion in the shoulder joint through manual therapy, postural training, and a stretching and strengthening exercise program.