Type 4 slap tear in 21-year-old minor league centerfielder

Abstract

Superior labrum anterior to posterior tears (SLAP) are a common injury in the overhead athlete. While most of these injuries involve type I or type II tears in this population, infrequently type IV tears will be encountered. These are difficult injuries to treat because the pathology involves both the labrum and the biceps tendon and may be associated with chronic throwing-related changes to the glenohumeral joint. Labral, biceps, and other associated pathology may need to be addressed nonsurgically and/or surgically for a successful outcome and return to play. The following case highlights the diagnosis, nonoperative and operative treatment options, and the postoperative rehabilitation for treatment of a type IV SLAP lesion in an overhead athlete.