Restoring Function. Embracing Life.
Shoulder Labral Tears Specialist in Singapore
Dr Bryan Wang
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Trusted Orthopaedic Surgeon | Fellowship-trained in Canada | With over 20-years of experience
What is Shoulder Labral Tear Injury
Shoulder Instability can be caused due to various reasons. One of the common reasons is a shoulder labral tear. A shoulder labral tear is a damage to the rim of cartilage that helps keep the ball-and-socket joint stable. This tear/damage can also lead to repeated dislocations/subluxations, pain with overhead use, and loss of stability in the shoulder.
What is the Labrum and Why does it Matter?
The glenoid labrum is a tough rim of cartilage that deepens the shoulder socket and anchors key ligaments and part of the biceps tendon. When it tears, the “socket” loses its grip and depth making the joint feel loose or unstable—especially during throwing, swimming, pressing, or contact sports. Shoulder Instability can be a full dislocation (ball comes out completely) or a subluxation (partial slip that “clunks” back).
Common Types of Shoulder Labral Tear
There are 4 common types of shoulder labral tears:
Bankart Lesion - Occurs at the front-bottom labrum. It is typically caused by a fall/ tackle that has led to a traumatic anterior dislocation. Common symptoms include fear of external rotation and abduction with recurrent “popping’ of the shoulder. It is often treated with Arthroscopic Bankart repair.
SLAP tear (Superior Labrum Anterior-Posterior) - Occurs at the top of labrum at the biceps anchor. It is typically caused due to overhead sports, a strong overhead pull or a fall. Common symptoms include deep pain/ clicking, pain with lifting/throwing. It is often treated with SLAP repair in younger athletes who play overhead sports or biceps tenodesis in some selected adults.
Posterior Labral tear - Occurs at the back of the labrum. It is typically caused due to contact sports, bench press or seizures. Common symptoms include posterior shoulder ache and increased pain during push-ups. It is often treated with Posterior labral repair if pain persists.
Reverse Bankart - Occurs at the front-top labrum due to posterior dislocation. It is typically caused by a traumatic fall, electric shock or seizure. Common symptoms include a sense of the shoulder slipping backwards. It is often treated with a bony repair depending on the bone loss.
Hill Sachs Lesion (associated bony injury)- This lesion causes a dent in the humeral head. It commonly occurs due to repeated anterior dislocation. Common symptoms include instability with elevation/rotation of the shoulder. It is often treated with a Remplissage procedure to provide stability and improve functional outcomes. If the bone loss is substantial, soft-tissue repair alone may not be enough, and a Latarjet (bone transfer) may be required.
Symptoms At a Glance
Patients with shoulder instability may present with the following symptoms:
Recurrent shoulder dislocations or a feeling it will “pop out”
Apprehension raising the arm to the side/overhead (especially with external rotation)
Clicking, catching, or deep joint pain after sports or overhead work
Weakness, loss of power, or fatigue in throwing/serving
Pain when sleeping on the affected side
Limited range of motion after a “pop” episode
When Do I Need to See a Shoulder Specialist?
You might need to consult a shoulder specialist or the Accident and Emergency Department if you experience the following:
First-time dislocation (especially with visible deformity)
Repeated “slips” or dislocations despite rest/physio
Painful clicking or loss of muscle power when moving the arm overhead
Numbness/tingling in the hand or arm, weakness, or cold/pale limb after an episode of dislocation
Severe pain or inability to move the arm after trauma
Suspected fracture (crunching, swelling, bony tenderness)
Shoulder Labral Tears Treatment
What to Expect at Our Clinic if You Have a Shoulder Labral Tear?
At Beacon Orthopaedics, you can consult our sports shoulder specialist directly (no referral required), arrange same-week imaging, and start physiotherapy early-important for athletes and active adults. You can also expect the following investigations:
History Taking & Examination by Our Specialist
Directional instability tests (e.g., apprehension/relocation), labral provocation tests (e.g., O’Brien, crank), etc.
Diagnostics and Imaging
X-rays to assess alignment and screen for Hill-Sachs or bony Bankart.
MRI or MRI arthrogram to visualise the labrum, capsulolabral complex, and biceps anchor (especially for SLAP/posterior tears).
What are my Treatment Options?
If you have any of the symptoms above, it is advisable to see an orthopaedic specialist for further assessment. They can be broadly divided into conservative (non-surgical) and surgical options. There are two approaches for treatment depending on the surgeon’s assessment and a collaborative discussion based on your needs.
Shoulder Labral Tears Conservative Treatment (non-surgical)
Activity modification (avoid risky arm positions so that you give your injured tissues some rest).
Physiotherapy: scapular control, rotator-cuff strengthening, proprioception to resist translation, other exercises as recommended by your Physiotherapist.
Short course of analgesia as advised; selective image-guided injections for pain control in rehab (case-by-case).
Shoulder Labral Tears Surgical Treatment: Arthroscopic (keyhole) procedures (individualised)
Arthroscopic Bankart repair/capsulolabral repair for recurrent anterior instability without significant bone loss.
SLAP repair (often for younger athletes who play sports requiring overhead actions) or biceps tenodesis where suitable.
Posterior labral repair or reverse Bankart repair for posterior patterns.
Remplissage (fills an engaging Hill-Sachs to prevent it catching on the rim).
Latarjet (bone transfer) when there is glenoid bone loss or failed soft-tissue repairs; adds a bone block and dynamic sling effect for stability. Latarjet is chosen when bone loss contributes to recurrent instability.
What To Expect If Surgery Is Recommended by Our Surgeon?
If arthroscopic surgery or other surgery is your treatment of choice, you may expect the following post-surgery:
Day surgery/short stay at a private hospital.
Sling to keep your shoulder immobilised for 2–4 weeks depending on repair; early protected motion guided by your therapist.
Physiotherapy with progressive exercises of mobility → rotator-cuff/scapular strength → sports-specific control.
Desk work often returns within 1–2 weeks (arm in sling, modified duties).
Return to running/cycling usually earlier (depending on progress of rehabilitation); throwing/contact phases resume later under objective testing.
Your recovery timeline is personalised—see our dedicated guides: Shoulder Arthroscopy Recovery and Post-Shoulder Surgery Rehab.
Your Care Pathway at Beacon Orthopaedics
At Beacon Orthopaedics, you may expect the following care plan:
Assessment with our sports shoulder specialist.
Imaging plan (X-ray ± MRI arthrogram)
Shared decision-making: non-surgical vs surgical options, aligned to your sport/work goals.
Rehab start (pre op rehab if surgery is planned).
Procedure if needed (arthroscopic labral repair / shoulder instability surgery).
Guided rehab with clear criteria to progress and return to sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sprains usually settle with rest; labral tears often leave a persistent instability/clicking feeling, pain with overhead rotation, or repeat subluxations. Imaging (MRI ± arthrogram) and clinical tests confirm the diagnosis.
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Not always. However, repeated dislocations—especially with bone loss or in young athletes—often do best with surgical stabilisation to restore confidence and protect the joint from further damage.
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Bankart: front-bottom labrum tear from anterior dislocation. SLAP: top labrum tear from front to back, often at the biceps anchor.
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It’s a dent in the humeral head that occurs when the shoulder dislocates; if it engages the socket edge, it can cause instability and may be treated with remplissage during stabilisation surgery.
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When there’s significant glenoid bone loss or failed prior soft-tissue repair. Latarjet adds bone and a dynamic sling to resist re-dislocation.
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You’ll feel a brief needle pressure as contrast is introduced into the joint before the scan; discomfort is usually mild and short-lived. Most patients tolerate it well.
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Strength and control typically take 4–6 months to meet return-to-sport criteria (varies by sport and procedure). Your surgeon/physio will test range, strength, and sport-specific tasks before clearing you.
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No—the private clinic pathway allows direct specialist access. Your insurer or company plan may have its own requirements; bring your policy details to discuss.
Medically reviewed by:
Dr Bryan Wang, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Beacon Orthopaedics, Singapore — fellowship-trained (Canada), >20 years’ experience; memberships include AAOS, ISAKOS; former Senior Consultant (CGH); teaching roles at NUS, NTU, Duke-NUS; experience with professional athletes. Last reviewed: September 2025.
References:
AAOS OrthoInfo – Chronic Shoulder Instability; Shoulder Joint (Labrum) Tear; SLAP Tears; Arthroscopic Bankart Repair. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/shoulder-joint-tear-glenoid-labrum-tear/
Cleveland Clinic – Hill-Sachs lesion overview. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24304-hill-sachs-lesion
AAOS – Latarjet educational content. https://www.aaos.org/videos/video-detail-page/26616_Videos
Beacon Orthopaedics – About Dr Bryan Wang https://www.beaconortho.com.sg/about-dr-bryan-wang
This content is educational and does not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified orthopaedic specialist for diagnosis and treatment tailored to you.
Why choose Beacon Orthopaedics?
Focused expertise: Dr Bryan Wang is fellowship-trained in Shoulder & Elbow and Sports Injuries (Pan Am Clinic, Canada) and previously served as Senior Consultant (CGH). He has taught at NUS, NTU, and Duke-NUS and is a member of AAOS, ISAKOS, and the Canadian Shoulder & Elbow Society.
Athlete-centred care: Dr Bryan Wang has many years of experience and expertise supporting professional athletes and weekend warriors alike; return-to-sport is built into your plan.
One stop centre: You can expect same-week imaging where appropriate, on-site/partner physiotherapy, and clear return-to-work/sport milestones all within one medical clinic.
Keyhole-first philosophy: Dr Wang believes in approach of Arthroscopic labral repair, shoulder arthroscopy and advanced solutions (e.g., Remplissage, Latarjet) when indicated.
Ready To Get Confident with Your Shoulder Again?
If you’re experiencing recurrent shoulder dislocations, pain after overhead activity, or suspect a labral tear, book an appointment with Beacon Orthopaedics, Singapore.
Early, accurate diagnosis and a structured plan can get you back to work, sport, and daily life with confidence.
