SLAP REPAIR

Melanie McNeal, PT, CSCS, CFT

DAVID LINTNER, MD

SLAP is an acronym for Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior. It describes a labral detachment that originated posterior to the long head of the biceps tendon and extends anteriorly. The superior and inferior labrums differ in numerous ways. Whereas the inferior labrum is firmly attached to the glenoid and is more inelastic, fibrous tissue, the superior labrum resembles the meniscus in the knee – it is loosely attached to the glenoid, is triangular in shape, and has a fibrocartilaginous consistency. The long head of the biceps tendon has an attachment on both the posterosuperior labrum and the supraglenoid tubercle.

There are four types of SLAP lesions. Type I occurs when there is degeneration and fraying of the labrum but it remains firmly attached to the glenoid. There is no avulsion of the biceps tendon. A Type II lesion also shows signs of degenerative changes and fraying and there is complete detachment of the labrum from the superior glenoid rim. The attachment of the biceps is unstable. In a type III SLAP lesion, there is a bucket-handle tear of the labrum and the free margin is displaced into the joint. The labrum and biceps attachments are stable however. In this type of lesion, mechanical symptoms similar to those found in bucket-handle meniscal tears of the knee can be present, including catching and locking. A type IV SLAP lesion occurs when the superior portion of the labrum is displaced into the joint and the long head of the biceps is partially ruptured.

The two most common mechanisms of injury causing SLAP lesions are compression forces such as would occur when attempting to catch a heavy, falling object and traction forces, experienced during activities such as water skiing and throwing. It is not unusual and often expected to have associated inferior instability and/or a rotator cuff tear with a SLAP lesion.

SLAP lesions are difficulty to diagnose through physical exam and MRIs and are often only found upon arthroscopic examination.

It is of utmost importance to know the type of SLAP lesion sustained because the surgical procedure and subsequent rehab protocol differ for each type. Type I and III SLAP lesions are treated by debridement and because the biceps tendon is stable, post-op rehab can progress as tolerated. There are no restrictions of ROM.

The following protocol is for patients who have sustained a Type II or IV SLAP lesion in which the biceps tendon is unstable and possibly ruptured. The biceps tendon and labrum must be stabilized using tacks or suture anchors and if a Type IV lesion has occurred, the biceps must be repaired. Because of this, it is important to avoid stress on the repaired area post-operatively. ROM limitations should be followed closely and active biceps work must be limited for the first 6 weeks. Active biceps work is restricted because it has been shown that, if a SLAP lesion is present, contraction of the biceps actually lifts the superior labrum off the glenoid. The therapist must also remember that other procedures to correct instability or a RCT may have been performed concomitantly with the SLAP repair. If this is the case, the most conservative of the post-op protocols for all procedures performed is usually the one that is followed.

Rehab must be specific to the individual. The desired goals and work requirements must be taken into consideration as well as physical characteristics including age and tissue type and status.

Suggestions during rehab:

1. The RC gets a better blood supply when the shoulder is slightly away from the body; therefore, advocate the use of a towel roll under the arm when in a resting position.

2. The RC muscles are very small; therefore, we use lower intensities to isolate each muscle without recruitment from surrounding larger muscles. Focus on hypertrophy initially by high volume (V= Reps X intensity/weight). Following the hypertrophy phase, strength is the focus with lower reps and higher intensities/weight.

PROTOCOL

PHASE ONE (Week 1-3)

In phase one, the general goals are to protect the surgical repair, initiate ROM to prevent adhesions and increase circulation, decrease pain and inflammation, and stress emphasis of HEP.

A sling will be worn for 4 to 6 weeks unless instructed otherwise by Dr. Lintner.

The sling is to be removed 2-3X/day to perform HEP.

ROM limitations:

Passive and active-assisted ROM ONLY:

Flexion/scaption 0-60° by week 1

0-75° by week 2

0-90° by week 3

ER in scapular plane 0-15° by week 1

0-30° by week 2-3

IR in scapular plane as tolerated

Active wrist and elbow full ROM

EXERCISES:

ROM: Pendulums

Rope and pulley – flexion, scaption

AA cane/wand into flexion, ER at 0° and 45°

Seated or supine posterior cuff stretch into horiz adduction

Grade I-II g-h and scapular joint mobs and manual stretching

Strength: Hand gripping exercises - putty

Submax pain-free isometrics at 0° abduction (IR, ER, Ext, Abd) – NO ELBOW or SHOULDER FLEXION

UBE with no resistance

Scapular stabilizer strengthening – rows, shrugs, punches

Modalities: Heat prior to tx

Ice following tx and when needed

PHASE TWO (Week 3-6)

General goals in Phase Two are to gradually restore ROM, initiate active muscle contractions with a focus on regaining proper scapulo-humeral rhythm, begin to train joint proprioception, and continue with HEP.

ROM Limitations/goal:

Flexion/elevation 145° by week 6

ER in scapular plane 50° by week 6

IR in scapular plane Full ROM by week 6

EXERCISES:

ROM: Continue with AAROM exercises from Phase One – pulley, cane/wand

Initiate towel IR stretch if needed

Posterior capsule stretch

G-H joint mobilizations emphasizing post and inf glides. Should be pain-free and in loose/open packed position.

Passive stretching should be performed following mobilizations.

Strength: IR/ER with theraband using towel roll between upper arm and thorax

Side-step holding t-band at neutral IR/ER for isometric resistance

DB therex – flexion, scaption, empty can, deceleration

Triceps with theraband

Rhythmic stab progressing from supine to sidelying to partial sitting to standing as tolerated

Scapular strengthening therex including seated rows, shrugs, punches

PNF patterns with manual resistance

Light bicep curls can be initiated at 3 weeks

Modalities: Heat prior to tx

Ice following tx and when needed

PHASE THREE (Week 6-12)

The goals in this phase are to restore full active ROM, progress strengthening and scapular stabilization exercises, and initiate more functional drills into rehab program.

ROM goals:

Full ROM all planes by 10-12 weeks

EXERCISES:

ROM: Continue with previous exercises to gain full ROM

May need to add chicken wing stretch for ER

Mobilizations may be more aggressive if needed

Strength: Continue with previous T-band and C. column exercises,

increasing intensity, sets, reps as able

Continue with db therex increasing sets, reps, and intensity (up to 7 lbs)

Initiate T-band ER at 90/90 position – slow and fast reps

Initiate prone db therex including scaption at 130° with thumb up, horiz abduction with thumb up, extension with palm down, ER

Week 8:

Initiate two-handed plyometrics including ball toss –chest pass, OH pass, diagonals

Week 10:

Biodex – isokinetics for IR/ER beginning in modified neutral position, progress to 90/90 position in scapular plane

Modalities: Ice as needed

PHASE FOUR (Week 12-24)

Goals include regaining full functional strength, implementing functional or sports specific training, and establishing a progressive gym program for continued strengthening and endurance training.

*Continue as needed with ROM exercises

*UBE high resistance, for endurance

* Progress to one-handed plyos including ball toss, ball on wall

*Eccentric RC strengthening using plyoball, deceleration tosses, T-band

*Large muscle exercises including shoulder press, lat pull-downs, bench press – do not allow elbow to extend past plane of thorax

*For high school athletes: at 12 weeks, passive ER should be 100-105°; allow the athlete to gain the rest on his own.

*For college/pro athletes: at 12 weeks, active ER should be 100-105° and passive ER should be 110-115° - allow the rest to come on its own

*Initiate interval throwing program at wk 16 – consult with physician first

*Initiate sports specific/functional training

*At week 12, do a biodex test at 180°/sec and 300°/sec. – goal is for strength to be at 80% of unaffected side

*Expected Biodex results: ER/IR ratio at 180°/sec: male–66; female- 71

Peak T/BW range for ER at 180°/sec: male11-15; female 8-12

Peak T/BW range for IR at 180°/sec: male 17-23; female 13-17

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