Labrum Tear Doctor in Raleigh, NC
What is a labrum tear in the shoulder?
A labrum tear, or a labral tear, is a common sports injury that affects your shoulder joint. Your labrum is the small ring of cartilage that serves to deepen the socket (like a bumper on a pool table) and acts as an attachment point for many important ligaments that stabilize the shoulder. Most commonly, this kind of injury affects people who play sports that involve constant use of the shoulders, especially with overhead or swinging/throwing movements, like hockey, baseball, football, or softball.
Dr. David Dare is a sports medicine specialist in Raleigh, NC, who treats all kinds of shoulder injuries and conditions, including labral tears. Using the least invasive treatment modalities possible, Dr. Dare can get you back to your regular, active lifestyle.
The causes of a labrum tear
A labral tear is commonly the result of a traumatic shoulder injury, such as a car accident or sports injury, or the result of overusing the shoulder joint. In either of these cases, those who play sports or have jobs that require constant repetitive shoulder movements are at a higher risk for a labral tear. This is because the constant movement and strain of the shoulder causes more wear and tear on the joint over time. In other cases, a prior injury that results in shoulder instability or a structural abnormality in the shoulder could result in a labral tear.
What are the symptoms of a labrum tear?
Visit Dr. David Dare in Raleigh, NC if you experience any of the below common symptoms of a labrum tear:
- Clicking sound or feeling in shoulder
- Shoulder pain
- Lowered range of motion in shoulder
- Weakness in shoulder
- Shoulder stiffness
How Dr. Dare Diagnoses Labrum Tears
During a consultation with Dr. David Dare, he can accurately diagnose your shoulder condition and recommend treatment options based on the severity of your labral tear. Dr. Dare conducts a comprehensive evaluation of your shoulder area, checking for signs of a labral tear and other shoulder conditions. He also evaluates your medical history and asks you questions about pain level, symptoms, and activity level in order to get a thorough understanding of your injury. Then, Dr. Dare may also recommend undergoing one of the below listed diagnostic image tests to rule out other conditions and to examine the severity of your labral tear:
- X-rays
- MRI scans
- CT scans
How is a labrum tear treated?
In many cases, a labrum tear can be treated using conservative options with Dr. Dare in Raleigh, NC. He approaches your treatment using the least invasive options whenever possible, understanding that your recovery time is important, so conservative approaches are best when appropriate. Some of the options he may recommend include:
- Rest
- Activity level and lifestyle modifications
- Heat/ice therapy
- Physical therapy
- Exercise therapy
- Massage therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
If you suffer from a severe labrum tear or a complete labrum tear, Dr. Dare may recommend surgical repair of the labrum. Dr. Dare provides you with all of the information you need to know prior to undergoing surgical shoulder repair, and offers you the most innovative approaches to arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
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Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you are experiencing symptoms of a labrum tear, consult an orthopedic shoulder specialist. Dr. David Dare is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. His primary goal is to develop an effective treatment plan using the least invasive techniques to relieve your shoulder pain, restore function, and get you back to feeling your best. Call 919.781.5600 or fill out the form on this page to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dare today.
