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Superior Labral Anterior to Posterior Tears: Repair, Tenodesis, or Both?
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, Campbell Clinic - University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 1400 S Germnatown Road, Germantown, TN 38138, USA.
The Orthopedic Clinics of North America
|October 16, 2025
Summary
Superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) tears commonly affect athletes and laborers. While surgical repair offers a good return to sport rate, bicep tenodesis is a newer trend for these shoulder injuries.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
Background:
- Superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) tears are common in overhead athletes and laborers.
- Anatomic and biomechanical factors contribute to SLAP tears and limited healing potential.
- Previous SLAP tear repairs often resulted in poor outcomes due to stiffness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current trends in managing SLAP tears.
- To compare the outcomes of SLAP repair versus bicep tenodesis.
- To evaluate the return-to-sport rates after SLAP tear treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of SLAP tear management.
- Analysis of surgical techniques and outcomes.
- Examination of return-to-sport data based on activity type.
Main Results:
- A shift in treatment preference from SLAP repair to bicep tenodesis is observed.
- Approximately 79.5% of athletes return to sport after isolated SLAP repair.
- Professional pitchers have the lowest return-to-sport rates.
Conclusions:
- Bicep tenodesis is an emerging treatment for SLAP tears.
- Return to sport after SLAP repair is achievable but multifactorial.
- Further research may be needed to optimize outcomes for specific athlete populations.
