Biceps Tendon & SLAP Tears
A plain-language overview of biceps tendon and superior labral (SLAP) tear.
At a glance
- Where
- Shoulder (tendon and labrum)
- Common signs
- Catching, pain overhead
- Options
- Therapy, SLAP repair, or biceps tenodesis
- Urgent?
- Severe pain, deformity, fever, or numbness: seek care promptly.
For general education, not medical advice. Your own surgeon will recommend what fits your situation.
What it is
The long head of the biceps tendon attaches at the top of the shoulder socket to the labrum, a rim of cartilage. A SLAP tear is an injury to the top (superior) part of the labrum where the biceps attaches, common in overhead and throwing athletes and after falls.
Common symptoms
- Pain at the front or top of the shoulder
- Catching, locking, or popping
- Pain with overhead or throwing motions
- A sense of weakness or decreased throwing velocity
Treatment overview
Many patients improve with rest, activity changes, and physical therapy. When symptoms persist, arthroscopic options include repairing the labrum or releasing and reattaching the biceps tendon (biceps tenodesis), depending on age, activity, and the tear pattern.