Labrum Tears Treatment in Houston

Shoulder and hip joints consist of several components, all of which must work together well for normal joint flexibility and comfort. When a component called the labrum sustains damage, you may experience pain, stiffness, and other debilitating symptoms. Fortunately, you can receive state-of-the-art labrum tear treatment in Houston from our expert team at NW Surgery.

What Is a Shoulder or Hip Labrum Tear?

Both the shoulder and the hip feature a ball-and-socket construction in which the ball of the joints rotates freely within a bony socket. A cartilaginous ring called the labrum attaches to the socket to help hold the ball in position. A shoulder or hip labrum tear can compromise this structure, interfering with joint motion or making the joint unstable.

A shoulder labrum tear can take a variety of forms depending on where the tear occurs. A tear toward the top of the joint is called a superior labrum, anterior to posterior (SLAP) tear. Professional athletes who subject their shoulders to excessive overhand swinging motions often develop SLAP tears. The other main kind of tear, known as a Bankart tear, occurs toward the bottom of the joint, usually as the result of a shoulder dislocation. Tears in the rear part of the labrum occur rarely.

Runners and other athletes who punish their weight-bearing joints can tear a hip labrum. Accidents, injuries, or abnormalities in the hip joint can also produce this kind of damage.

Why Does a Hip or Shoulder Labrum Tear Need Treatment?

A minor SLAP tear involving only slight cartilage damage may not bother you. However, a more extensive hip or shoulder labrum tear can severely limit your quality of life. Symptoms may include:

• Pain in the affected joint
• Clicking sounds or grinding sensations when you try to use the joint
• Loss of joint strength or stability

A torn shoulder labrum can make upper arm motion almost impossible, while a torn hip labrum can cause pain that worsens as you stand or walk. Unless you have a slightly frayed labrum that produces no symptoms, you’ll need treatment to get over the problem and prevent it from getting progressively worse.

What Should I Expect During Treatment?

A skilled specialist can diagnose the exact nature of your hip or shoulder damage through a combination of diagnostic imaging and arthroscopic examination. Arthroscopy involves the insertion of a narrow, camera-equipped tube into the joint. Mild labrum damage may respond to non-surgical treatments such as rest, medication, and physical therapy. However, if these methods fail, you will most likely need surgery.

Labrum tear treatment in Houston may involve either traditional open surgery or arthroscopic surgery. Traditional surgery requires a long incision and in some cases, temporary dislocation of the joint so the surgeon can reach the damaged cartilage. By contrast, arthroscopic surgery involves just a couple of small incisions, making recuperation much easier.

Arthroscopic surgery can repair several kinds of labrum damage. If you have a frayed labrum, the surgeon can use tiny surgical instruments to trim away the frayed edges. If part of the labrum has torn away from the bone, sutures can reattach the torn sections. If your shoulder or hip joint also suffers from other abnormalities, the surgeon may also fix those issues in the same procedure.

Any kind of shoulder or hip surgery takes time to heal. The labrum may require extra time due to its relatively poor blood supply. Your surgeon will prescribe a gentle, safe physical therapy program to help the process along. Athletes recovering from labrum surgery may need at least six months of recovery time before they can play at full capacity. Complete recovery can take up to one year.

Let NW Surgery Help You

NW Surgery has the skills, experience, and tools to address a torn labrum in your hip or shoulder. Since 1999, our team of orthopedic surgeons has helped residents in and around Houston with their spinal and extremity joint problems. In addition to minimally invasive surgical techniques, we also offer ketamine treatment for chronic pain management. Even if you don’t currently have health insurance, we’ll help you get the treatment you need so you can resume your former activities and enjoy everyday life again.

Schedule Advanced Shoulder or Hip Care Today

If you need labrum tear treatment in Houston, NW Surgery can help you get over that pain and loss of function as quickly and effectively as possible. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.