La Mesa, California, Luna’s physical therapists specialize in helping patients recover from their labral repair surgery. Our PTs help patients safely, effectively, and quickly regain the use of their shoulder joint and get back to the activities they love.
The best part? With Luna, patients recovering from labral repairs can get physical therapy on demand. Our physical therapists come to you — it’s physical therapy, delivered.
Labral repair is a surgery intended to reverse damage to the cartilage in the shoulder, also known as the “labrum.” The top of the upper arm bone, which rests in the shoulder socket, is surrounded by the labrum, which allows the bone to fit securely while also moving easily within the socket.
A torn labrum can cause extreme pain and greatly hinder shoulder movement. These injuries are relatively common in athletes who play baseball, tennis, football, or other sports that require a wide range of shoulder motion. They’re also common in older people, as aging can make the labrum brittle and susceptible to injury. Fortunately, a labral repair can help to ease pain and restore shoulder motion.
Source: Northwell Health
Immediately after undergoing a shoulder labral repair, patients will be required to keep their shoulder immobilized. After about a week of immobilization, it’s safe to begin gentle range of motion exercises. These should be performed with the assistance and close supervision of a licensed physical therapist, as it’s easy to become reinjured during this time.
At the beginning of week three post-surgery, it’s typically suggested that patients begin simple exercises such as shoulder rotations and hand gripping. Throughout the entire recovery process, patients can engage in light cardiovascular exercise such as walking or using a stationary bike.
Source: UW Health