ABC Medical Center > Diseases > SLAP Lesion

What is slap lesion?

9 January 2026

It is a type of shoulder injury that consists of a tear in the labrum, which is a fibrocartilaginous tissue band that surrounds the shoulder and whose function is to stabilize the glenohumeral joint.

The SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior Posterior) Lesion involves a tear of the labrum where it connects with the biceps tendon, in the superior, anterior, or posterior parts.

Types of SLAP Lesion

According to Snyder’s classification, there are four classes, and two or more may occur at the same time:

  • Type 1: Affection without rupture in the superior labrum, with no involvement of the biceps tendon.
  • Type 2: This is the most common; it affects the superior labrum and the biceps tendon. It is related to recurrent trauma.
  • Type 3: A bucket-handle tear with its central area extending into the joint, without involvement of the biceps tendon.
  • Type 4: A bucket-handle tear with its central area extending into the joint, with involvement of the biceps tendon.

Possible Causes of a SLAP Lesion

  • Falls.
  • Excessive stretching.
  • Repetitive movements.
  • Lifting excessive weights.
  • Shoulder dislocation.

Signs and symptoms SLAP Lesion

The symptoms are:

  • Sudden and intense pain at the moment of the injury.
  • Inflammation (swelling).
  • Weakness in the arm.
  • Clicking or popping when moving the shoulder.
  • Pain when moving the arm.
  • Sore shoulder when lying on it.
  • Sensation of instability in the shoulder.
  • Significant decrease in range of motion.

Diagnosis and treatment SLAP Lesion

Once the orthopedist analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination, paying special attention to your shoulder. They will ask you to perform various movements and adopt different postures to observe painful reactions and dynamic limitations.

Also, to rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis, they will request some imaging studies such as:

  • X-rays.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
  • Arthro-MRI (MRI with contrast injection).

The treatment to follow will depend on the type and severity of the injury, but generally includes:

  • Analgesics (painkillers).
  • Anti-inflammatories.
  • Injected steroids.
  • Physical therapy.
  • Surgery, when conservative therapies are ineffective or when the injury is severe.

At the Orthopedics and Traumatology Center, we seek to improve the lives of patients restricted or immobilized by musculoskeletal disorders or injuries. We specialize in the care of the musculoskeletal system by integrating the latest medical, biological, and technological advances, in strict adherence to the highest international standards of patient care.

Related centers and departments SLAP Lesion

Orthopedics and Traumatology Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • centralcoastortho.com
  • aaos.org
  • orthoinfo.aaos.org
  • cun.es
  • fisify.com
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • topdoctors.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Valero GFS, Inzunza EGR. Lesiones del labrum superior: SLAP. Ortho-tips. 2016;12(3):145-155.
  • Iñarritu-Cervantes A. Comentario al trabajo de ingreso:“Lesiones del labrum glenoideo superior de anterior a posterior (SLAP)”. Cir Cir. 2001;69(2):83.
  • Cisneros-García J, González-Hernández JJ, Poireth-Lozano RD. Lesiones del labrum glenoideo superior de anterior a posterior (SLAP). Cir Cir. 2001;69(2):74-82.
  • González GAJ, Ochoa CR. Concordancia entre artroscopia e imagen por resonancia magnética nuclear de hombro de 3 teslas en pacientes deportistas con lesión superior del labrum glenoideo de anterior a posterior (SLAP). Acta Med. 2018;16(3):188-193.

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