Labral Tear vs. Rotator Cuff Tear: Shoulder Injuries Compared

Both injuries cause shoulder pain and dysfunction, but involve different structures.

Labral Tear

• Anatomy: The labrum is a fibrocartilaginous ring deepening the glenoid socket.
• Mechanism: Trauma (dislocation, fall) or repetitive overhead motion (throwing, swimming).
• Common types: SLAP tear (superior labrum anterior-posterior), Bankart tear (anterior-inferior, with instability).

Rotator Cuff Tear

• Anatomy: Four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) and their tendons.
• Mechanism: Acute trauma (fall on outstretched arm) or chronic degeneration (impingement, aging).
• Most common: Supraspinatus tendon tear.

Overlapping Symptoms

• Pain (especially overhead or at night)
• Weakness
• Clicking/catching
• Limited active range of motion

Diagnosis & Treatment

Clinical exam + MRI/MR arthrogram. Conservative: PT, NSAIDs, activity modification. Surgical: arthroscopic labral repair or rotator cuff repair if conservative fails or for acute traumatic tears in active patients.

Prevention

• Proper warm-up, scapular strengthening, rotator cuff exercises.
• Avoid excessive repetitive overhead loading.
• Early evaluation of persistent shoulder pain.