The torn part of the labrum is reattached back to the glenoid using sutures and bone anchors.

This is mainly performed when there is some bone loss from the front of the glenoid, from either a bony Bankart lesion or repeated dislocations wearing away the front of the glenoid.

The procedure involves the transfer of a small bone at the front of the shoulder blade, called the coracoid with its attached muscles to the deficient area over the front of the glenoid and fixed in place using surgical screws.

Not only does this replace the missing bone but the transferred muscle also acts as an additional soft tissue strut preventing further dislocations.

Some SLAP tears can be simply trimmed and tidied, while most require repair depending on the severity. This involves stitching the labrum and LHB tendon back to the top of the glenoid using sutures and bone anchors.

The SLAP repair may require additional protection with restricted elbow movements and function.

The surgery is usually performed with a combination of a regional nerve block and a light general anaesthetic (GA) or sedation. The regional nerve block is a specialised injection in which local anaesthetic is injected around the nerves that supply your shoulder and arm. This makes the shoulder go numb for the operation and provides pain relief after the operation for up to 24 hours. It also enables just a light GA or strong sedation to be given, allowing earlier recovery and, in most cases, you will be ready to go home on the same day as your operation.

After the operation, your arm will remain numb with limited movement due to the regional nerve block. This is normal and will gradually return after 12–24 hours.

Further detailed information about your anaesthetic will be provided to you in the booklet ‘About your anaesthetic’ before you attend the hospital.

Although you will have small scars, this procedure can be painful due to the surgery performed inside your shoulder. The procedure is to resolve pain and/or improve movement thus allowing maximum function; however it can be several months until you start to feel the benefit of the surgery.

The pain can be kept to a manageable level by taking pain relief medication. This is to allow you to feel comfortable so you can get a good night sleep (vital for the body to heal itself), perform your exercises to prevent your arm from feeling stiff and sore, and allow you to perform basic functional activities for yourself once out of the sling. This will all help the operation to be as successful as possible.

Yes, typically you are prescribed 7 days of regular paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID’s), with something slightly stronger such as codeine phosphate to be taken as needed. If you require further medication after these are finished, please contact your own G.P. or you can obtain more paracetamol or NSAID’s from your local pharmacy.

Pain and swelling can often be reduced by using an ice pack over your shoulder. It should be applied for 20 minutes and can be repeated every 2 hours. Never apply ice directly to your skin. Never use ice if you skin feels numb or tingling.

If you find it difficult to manage your pain, please contact the hospital.

Usually not, especially if your surgery is performed in the morning or early afternoon; the later the surgery is completed, the more likely you will require an over-night stay in hospital. Laterjet procedures more commonly require a one-night stay.

Your stitches will need to be removed after 10 days. You will need to make an appointment at your GP surgery for this to be done.

Keep your wound dry until it is healed. Your dressing will be splash proof to allow you to have a short shower. Avoid using spray deodorants, talcum powder or perfumes near or on the wound.

If your wound feels increasingly painful or looks red and hot round the wound dressing please contact the hospital.

You will be required to wear a sling for 2-6 weeks, depending on several factors.

You can typically remove the sling for hygiene and to perform your exercises, but should be worn at all other times, including at night.

You may be able to take the sling off by yourself but in the early stages it will be easier if you have someone to help you if possible.

Start by supporting your operated arm with the non-operated arm whilst someone else does the Velcro straps. If you don’t have anyone to help, support your arm on a table, whilst you undo the Velcro straps. You can then slip the sling off.

In the case of posterior stabilisations, you are required to wear a more substantial sling. This includes a large wedge bolster sitting between your elbow and the side of your body to stop the stabilisation being under tension, maximising the chance of healing.

You may find it more comfortable for the shoulder at night, if you place a pillow under your upper arm when lying on your back or to rest your arm on a pillow in front of you when lying on your non-operated side.

No, you are only allowed to perform limited, gentle active movements away from the body while using the sling, primarily for hygiene purposes and as part of the exercises (Appendix) to reduce the stiffness of the joint.

To undress take the un-operated arm out of your clothes first then slide the clothes off your operated arm. To dress, slide your operated arm into the sleeve of your clothing first, followed by the un-operated. Initially, you will find button/ zip clothes easier to get on and off or wide neck loose tops.

To wash, carefully lean forward with your arm relaxed so it gently moves away from your body, this will allow you to wash under your arm, dry and apply deodorant.

As you progress out of the sling you can gentle increase the range and repetition of movements, guided by your Physiotherapist.

For anterior stabilisations you must avoid combined abduction and external rotation for the first 6 weeks and posterior stabilisations, you must avoid putting your hand behind your back for 6 weeks.

If you do too much with the shoulder, especially early on, then you risk damaging the repair, or at least irritating the healing tissues causing more pain and making it more difficult to progress. The challenge is, knowing how much is too much?

To answer this question, below are three strategies designed to help guide your progression of exercise and function:

1: ‘Safe-Zones’
When you move functionally or with exercises it is helpful to imagine ‘safe zones’ (Fig 2). You can begin by using your arm in the green zones and progressing to yellow, then red areas over weeks and months following surgery as comfort allows.

Activities at or above shoulder height put more stress on the areas that have been operated on. Try and avoid repeated activities in these positions for the first 6 weeks.

2) Pacing
As you wean out of the sling you should use the arm for small durations of function and exercise frequently, such as 30-60 seconds, every 30-60 minutes but only in the ‘Safe-Zones’ to begin with. Then adjust (increase or decrease) this amount depending on how your shoulder copes, guided by the ‘Soreness Rules’.

3) ‘Soreness Rules’
These allow you to guide your ‘Pacing’, so that you make steady progress, with manageable discomfort only.

When you do a light, easy activity for a minute or two in the ‘Safe-Zone’ and the shoulder feels:

i. Fine during, after and in the evening, you may increase the difficulty or duration of that activity by about 10-20%.
ii. Uncomfortable but manageable after the activity for under 20 minutes and/or uncomfortable but manageable in the evening, you continue at about the same level of activity.
iii. Uncomfortable during and/or painful after and/or painful in the evening that is difficult to manage you need to reduce down the activity by about 10-20%

And then reassess with the ‘Soreness Rules’ again, with each activity and at the end of each day.

Approximately 3-6 weeks, once you’ve weaned out of the sling and you have active control of your arm. This can vary from person to person as to when you feel comfortable to do so. It is advisable to contact your car insurance company to inform them of your shoulder surgery. Make sure you feel comfortable performing an emergency stop and using all the car controls before your first car journey and slowly build up your journey time, using the ‘Soreness Rules’ to guide your progression.

This will depend on your occupation. Approximately 2-4 weeks for non-manual, sedentary work. If your job requires any lifting or reaching overhead you will require longer off. Approximately 6-8 weeks for light manual work and 12-18 weeks for heavy manual work.

However, this is guidance only. It will also depend on the size of your stabilisation, how well your shoulder is progressing in movement, function and control of discomfort post-operatively. Your Physiotherapist or Consultant can also help to guide you on this as you progress.

It is useful to liaise with your employer earlier (pre-operatively) rather than later to negotiate a suitable time off and ideally a staged return, in terms of hours and physicality of tasks where possible. This is often arranged through your Occupational Health department or Human Resources (HR) department if your company have one? If not, speak directly to your line-manager.

Depending on the sport, you can usually begin to return between 3-6 months. However this is guidance only. Your ability to start these activities will be dependent on the size of your tear, pain, range of movement and strength that you have in your shoulder.

As with all other functional activities, start small and gradually progress. Use sports specific movements and skills within your rehabilitation and the techniques; ‘Safe-Zones’, ‘Pacing’ and ‘Soreness Rules’ to guide the progression.

Your Physiotherapist or Consultant can also help to guide you on this as you progress.

Yes, rehabilitation is vital to the long-term outcome of your shoulder surgery. You will be seen by your local outpatient Physiotherapist 2-3 weeks after your operation date.

This appointment will be arranged for you by the Physiotherapist you see on the ward. They will also show you your initial exercises (Appendix). You can perform these as guided once the nerve block has worn off and you have control over your arm again.

These exercises will then be reviewed by your outpatient Physiotherapist at your first appointment and progressed as appropriate.

This is arranged for approximately three months after you are discharged from hospital. You may see your consultant or another member of the specialist shoulder orthopaedic team.
If you or your Physiotherapist are concerned about your progress, please call the hospital. If you feel you need to be reviewed earlier, please call your consultant’s medical secretary.
Seek advice if you:

• Develop a temperature or fever
• Increasing pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Severe bleeding
• Numbness in your arm/hand 72 hours later
• Difficulties passing urine
• Queries regarding your painkillers
• Queries relating to your surgery
• Most people feel a significant improvement in their shoulder symptoms by three months.

However, it can often take 6 months for you to feel optimum improvement in shoulder symptoms and be able return to full function.

You will be sent an Outcome Questionnaire at one year after your surgery, please look out for it, complete it and return it to us. Your input is vital in enabling us to fully assess the effectiveness of the surgery and our service.