Recovery more likely after shoulder surgery than in years past
June 19th, 2009 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
Many athletes who rely on their throwing motion for their livelihood consider the torn shoulder labrum one of the most fearsome injuries. In many cases, it can ruin a career or at the very least, leave them benched for weeks if not months.
The labrum is a cartilage found in the shoulder’s ball-and-socket joint where the arm meets the body. It serves to deepen the socket so that the ball stays in place and helps stabilize the arm. When the labrum is torn due to injury, the ball may slide part or all of the way out of the socket. Symptoms of a labral tear depend on where the tear is located, and may include an aching sensation in the shoulder joint, catching of the shoulder when moved, and pain during physical activity.
Treatment for a torn labrum depends on the type of tear. They often do not require surgery; however, patients with persistent symptoms that do not respond to other therapies may need surgery. Recovery from surgery usually depends on where the tear occurred and how severe the tear was. Typically, it takes four to six weeks for the labrum to re-attach itself to the rim of the bone and another four to six weeks to strengthen and fully heal.
A majority of patients regain full functioning of their shoulder after labrum repair, but that was not always the case. Just a few years ago orthopedic surgeons began seeing more and more patients suffering from a painful and debilitating condition known as chondrolysis in patients who had had shoulder surgery. The condition was traced back to pain pumps used to deliver medication to the shoulder joint for up to 72 hours after surgery.
An investigation found that pain pump manufacturers were advising doctors to insert the pump catheters directly into the shoulder joint rather than the tissue, as was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, more than 140 lawsuits have been filed in state and federal court against manufacturers of pain pump devices.
Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine