Menu
Labral Tears
A shoulder labral tear involves damage to the labrum, a ring of cartilage that lines the socket of the shoulder joint. The labrum helps deepen the socket and contributes to shoulder stability, allowing the arm to move smoothly during lifting, reaching, and overhead activity.
Labral tears may occur after a traumatic injury, such as a fall or shoulder dislocation, or they may develop gradually with repetitive use or age-related changes. In some cases, labral changes are present without causing symptoms. In others, they may contribute to deep shoulder pain, clicking or catching, or a feeling that the shoulder does not feel stable during certain movements.
This page is for people experiencing deep shoulder pain, clicking or catching, or a sense of looseness or instability who want to understand whether a labrum tear in the shoulder may be contributing to their symptoms.
How Physical Therapy Helps Shoulder Labral Tears
Because the labrum plays a key role in shoulder stability, physical therapy for shoulder labral tears focuses on improving how the shoulder is supported and controlled during movement.
Care may include:
- Assessment of shoulder stability, motion, and strength
- Exercises to improve shoulder and shoulder blade control
- Progressive strengthening of muscles that support joint stability
- Neuromuscular training to improve coordination and confidence with movement
- Gradual return to daily activities, work demands, or sports
Many people with shoulder labral tears are able to improve pain and function with conservative care. Physical therapy is also commonly used before or after surgery to support recovery and restore shoulder use.
Common Contributors To Shoulder Labral Tears
Labral tears are often influenced by how much stress is placed on the shoulder joint over time.
Common contributors may include:
- Traumatic shoulder injuries, such as falls or dislocations
- Repetitive overhead or throwing activities
- Sudden forceful pulling or lifting movements
- Previous episodes of shoulder instability
- Age-related cartilage changes
- High-demand sports or physically demanding work
When these factors affect the labrum’s ability to support the joint, symptoms often become more noticeable during daily activity.
Symptoms You May Experience
People with shoulder labral tears may experience:
- Deep, hard-to-localize shoulder pain
- Shoulder clicking and catching with movement
- A feeling of looseness or instability in certain positions
- Pain with overhead movement or lifting
- Reduced confidence using the arm
- Symptoms that worsen with activity
Because these symptoms can overlap with other shoulder conditions, evaluation is often helpful to determine the most likely contributor.
Shoulder Labral Tear Conditions We Treat
Labral tears may occur alongside other shoulder conditions. You may find it helpful to explore these related pages depending on how your symptoms present:
- Rotator Cuff Pain – if pain is your primary concern without instability
- Rotator Cuff Injuries – if weakness or loss of strength is more prominent
- Shoulder Instability – if your shoulder frequently feels loose or gives way
Each page provides more detailed information about symptoms, contributors, and physical therapy treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
A shoulder labral tear may cause deep shoulder pain, clicking or catching, or a sensation that the shoulder feels unstable. Some people notice symptoms only during certain movements or activities.
Yes. Some labral changes—especially age-related ones—may not cause noticeable symptoms and are sometimes found incidentally.
Labral tear symptoms often overlap with other shoulder conditions. A physical therapy evaluation can help assess shoulder strength, stability, and movement to determine whether the labrum may be contributing.
No. Many people manage shoulder labral tear symptoms with conservative care such as physical therapy. Surgery may be considered depending on instability, activity demands, and response to non-surgical treatment.
Yes. Physical therapy is commonly recommended both before and after surgery to improve outcomes and support recovery.
Learn More About Physical Therapy
If you’d like more information about what to expect during physical therapy, visit our Patient Resources page.
Get Started
If deep shoulder pain, clicking, catching, or a feeling of instability is affecting your aily activities, a physical therapy evaluation can help determine appropriate next steps for care.
