Biceps Tendonitis & SLAP Tears

The biceps tendon and superior labrum are common sources of shoulder pain, particularly in active patients and overhead athletes.

These conditions often overlap with rotator cuff disease and shoulder instability.

What are SLAP tears?

A SLAP tear involves injury to the superior labrum where the biceps tendon attaches inside the shoulder joint.

These injuries may develop from:

• Throwing sports
• Repetitive overhead activity
• Traction injuries
• Falls
• Age-related degeneration

Common symptoms

• Front-of-shoulder pain
• Clicking or catching
• Pain with overhead activity
• Weakness
• Throwing discomfort
• Fatigue with activity

Treatment options

• Physical therapy
• Activity modification
• Corticosteroid injection
• Biceps tenodesis
• SLAP repair in selected patients

Modern treatment increasingly favors biceps tenodesis in many adults because of reliable pain relief and recovery.

What this means for patients

Biceps tendon and labral pathology can significantly affect shoulder function and athletic performance. Accurate diagnosis is essential because these problems often overlap with other shoulder conditions.