Shoulder Labral Tear Physical Therapy · Oceanside, CA
SHOULDER LABRAL TEAR
STABLE. STRONG.
BACK IN THE GAME.
BACK IN THE GAME.
A clicking, catching, or unstable shoulder — or one that just doesn't feel right since the injury. Shoulder labral tears are common in overhead athletes, contact sport athletes, and after dislocations. Many are successfully managed without surgery.
Land & Sea PT
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Every session · 60 min
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Understanding the Condition
WHAT IS A SHOULDER LABRAL TEAR?
The glenoid labrum is a ring of fibrocartilage around the shoulder socket that deepens the joint and provides passive stability. Tears occur from acute trauma (dislocation, FOOSH injury), repetitive overhead stress (SLAP tears in throwers), or gradual instability. Like the hip labrum, the tear on imaging doesn't always tell the whole story.
Bankart Tear: Anterior labral tear from shoulder dislocation — the most common labral injury. First-time dislocation in younger athletes often requires surgical consideration due to high re-dislocation rates.
SLAP Tear: Superior labral tear involving the biceps anchor — common in throwers and overhead athletes. Many respond well to conservative PT; others require surgical repair.
Posterior Labral Tear: Less common, often from repetitive posterior stress in bench pressers and contact athletes. Conservative PT is the primary treatment.
Labral Tear With Instability: Recurrent subluxation or dislocation episodes. Surgical evaluation is warranted if PT doesn't restore adequate functional stability.
Treatment Approach
HOW WE TREAT IT
Conservative labral rehab focuses on building dynamic stability through rotator cuff and scapular strength to compensate for the passive labral disruption — and retraining the neuromuscular control that keeps the shoulder centered under load.
01
Protect & Restore Mechanics
Activity modification to avoid provocative positions, manual therapy to restore shoulder mechanics, and gentle rotator cuff activation within a safe range.
02
Dynamic Stability Training
Progressive rotator cuff loading, scapular control, and neuromuscular retraining that restores functional shoulder stability without relying on the passive labral structures.
03
Return to Sport
Sport-specific loading, throwing mechanics (if applicable), and objective stability testing before full return to contact or overhead activity.
Typical TimelineConservative management: 3–5 months. Post-surgical repair: 5–7 months.
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Ready to Get Started?
LET'S SEE IF
WE CAN HELP.
WE CAN HELP.
Submit a request and we'll call you to hear your situation. We'll give you an honest answer about whether we think we can help — before you ever step in the door.
📍 821 S Tremont St, Oceanside, CA · (760) 542-6666