Shoulder Labrum Explained: SLAP Tears vs Bankart Tears vs Posterior Labrum

Your shoulder is built for motion but that freedom comes at a cost. In this episode of The Shoulder Blueprint, Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens break down the shoulder labrum in plain speak: what it is, why it matters, and how different tear types are totally different problems.

We cover:

What the labrum actually does (depth + stability + “suction seal”)

Why we describe labrum tears by the “clock face”

Bankart tears (anterior-inferior labrum) and why most dislocations go out the front

The classic dislocation injury patterns: Hill-Sachs lesions and bony Bankart injuries

Why not every first-time dislocator needs surgery (and when risk goes way up)

SLAP tears (biceps anchor) — why they’re common on MRI, especially as you age

Posterior labrum tears: who gets them (benching, linemen, contact sports) and typical symptoms

The exam maneuvers we use for instability: apprehension and relocation

Important point: A “labrum tear” on MRI doesn’t automatically mean that’s the cause of your pain — we treat the patient, not the scan.