SLAP Tear Diagnosis and Management

SLAP tears are commonly encountered and recognized source of dysfunction in the shoulder. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of surgeries performed to treat these injuries. SLAP tears can also be found in conjunction with other shoulder pathology, and it is important to distinguish whether these tears contribute to shoulder dysfunction or represent an incidental finding. Likewise, it is important to account for patient-specific factors including sports, demands of the patient, age, and activity when offering treatment options to patients. Because of this, clinicians must have a thorough understanding of anatomy, pathogenesis, clinical evaluation, imaging, treatment options, and outcomes associated with SLAP tears.