Can a Shoulder Labrum Tear ACTUALLY Heal Naturally Without Surgery?

A shoulder labrum tear can heal without a surgery if it’s taken through the correct progressions.

The labrum must be given time and put in the right position to reattach to the bone. Then that attachment must be strengthened gradually over time.

To get long-term relief and prevent more shoulder pain in the future, the underlying root muscle imbalance must be corrected.

In this video Dr. David answers the question “can a shoulder labrum tear actually heal naturally without surgery?”

Here are links to the shoulder sling & pulley exerciser mentioned in the video:

🙋‍♀️Looking for more help with shoulder pain problems?

Check out this playlist:
“Shoulder Pain Help”

00:00 Cartilage to bone healing
01:44 Gradual strengthening
02:35 Root muscle imbalance correction

#elpasomanualphysicaltherapy #drdavidmiddaugh

====================================================================
✅ Subscribe for more FREE tips on how to stay healthy, active & mobile while avoiding unnecessary medication, injections, or surgery:

👟 Because we've had so many comments about what shoes Dr. David is wearing, here's a link to the shoes on Amazon:
Dr. David's Shoes With Insoles - Olukai Brand

💆‍♀️The massage table Dr. David uses can be found at this link:

//SHOP OUR COURSES!

//COME SAY HI!

//CONTACT:

DISCLAIMER:
Any information available at this channel is intended for general guidance only and must never be considered a substitute for advice provided by a physician, medical provider or physical therapist. El Paso Manual Physical Therapy will not be liable for any injuries that happened due to performing any exercises or advice on this channel.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care professional with questions about your medical condition or to diagnose any conditions.

[ronibajralia]

Wow, this guy just got straight to the point. I love it.!! It’s a great day for YouTube!

[rapid]

I'm in a lawsuit with my previous surgeon partially because of this reason. Thank God my new surgeon actually listened to me and is going ahead with surgery.

[mosierwerks]

This is great information. The theory is that a labrum will not ever heal on its own. But is that 100 percent factual? I like this idea of before doing surgery sling your shoulder for a long period of time and let your body at least try and fix itself. Because it seems like the labrum does at least attempt to heal itself but no one ever gives it enough time.

[striker]

The main issue with using a sling for awhile (with a torn labrum) however, is that isolating the shoulder ROM can lead to adhesive capsulitis / frozen shoulder. You would then have to start from square one and that would lengthen your recovery time and introduce more pain. There is research that stem cell therapy is a better way to go for repairing the tear because the labrum isn't actually normal cartilage. It's more like the fibro cartilage structure of the meniscus. In most cases a good PT that specializes on injured shoulders can also do wonders for more mobility and strengthening the muscle balance.

[luisr]

Listen to this guy! I have a slap tear on my right shoulder and I have gotten so much better it’s possible to heal without surgery!!! Takes a long time months and months…..I’m already doing pulls ups and lifting moderate weights as long as it doesn’t hurt!! Its actually good !! Mine is almost completely healed!! Need to stretch need to exercise always keeping in mind not to feel any pain there!! If u do take it slower!! Use the arm sling for atleast two months you won’t get frozen shoulder I didn’t…. It’s bs only happens if they cut u open and mess with your shoulder other wise give it time to heal with the sling after start giving that shoulder all its movement!!! Little by little!!! And last get stronger, bigger!! Grow!!! Grow!! grow Your bones, your muscles, gain muscle weight get stronger!!! Always keeping in mind not to hurt it by asking more than it can take at the giving moment!!! Goodluck im fixing it it’s possible do your homework good luck its not easy…..also I had this injury for atleast 8 years coming and leaving !!! So don’t feel bad if u had it for long it’s still possible !! To be honest this will take a year to heal or close to a year or even more….so don’t rush thru it.

[TheJManK]

Literally just re-tore my labrum from rolling over in bed. I’ve been working out hard again. I had my left one fixed back in 2020 and my right one fully rehabbed

[joeykanakanui]

Man I had a labrum surgery in 2014 you HAVE TO LET THE LABRUM HEAL!!!! Just like he said!!!! Many people try to rush the healing process when first hurting the labrum or dislocating their shoulder that’s what I did.. my shoulder freaking popped out partially the other day doing a football drill after 10 This fucking sucks my range of motion is great just the pain of the damage ligaments I feel so I’m doing the SAME process I’m doing after I had surgery in 2014 God bless for a speedy Not gonna rush at all!!!! And to everyone having shoulder

[kentm]

Thank you El Paso doc, your description FITS what I am experiencing in my right shoulder. The more I view these vids, the more I'm convinced Ive damaged that labrum area. Had no idea this was such a common affliction, with so many vids on the same subject matter. I'll probably try the sling thing to give that area time to re-attach or mend but I'd sure like to find a liniment to HELP the inner mend. Not looking for pain rubs....they work but they dont help the inner mending...which I've been experiencing for about a month now.

[dragonism]

Would this only work if the labrum tear is recent? Or can an old labrum tear reattach itself if a sling is used to keep the humerus in the shoulder socket for prolonged periods of time?

[toddmacleod]

I left a comment on another one of your videos asking for advice and just found this video, which answered my question, thank you so much. Todd

[tonygareth]

Had labrum tear 6 months ago. Hasn’t healed. Still use arm but don’t do things that hurt it. Got hurt legitimately at work and workers comp closed my case not long after opening it leaving me with no paid doctors visits or treatment. Now it’s starting to get legal and work is trying to get me off light duty

[ryanshoesmith]

Thanks for the video. Is there any supporting research that suggests a period of resting in a sling can allow the labrum to reattach to the bone? I haven't been able to find any relevant studies so would be grateful if you could share some links. I've got a right shoulder SLAP tear from 11.30-1 and have been recommended for surgery, but want to avoid it if possible. It would be amazing if you could share any evidence about resting in a sling that I could take to my consultant!

[eberhardkieslich]

Great video! I’ve got one question. Most people (me included) don’t really know if it was a labrum tear until years later. I have some instability issues from a tear about four years ago. ROM is good. Is there any point in trying the exercises this late, or is it a lost cause given the long time since injury. I guess, you’d have to see X-rays or an MRI to make a statement, but just wondering if it is possible to achieve a stable shoulder with an existing tear, if the exercises are performed correctly and regularly.

[TopLobster]

I've had anterior superior labral tear that hasn't healed in a decade, and recently has been getting worse. I'm definitely gonna need work done to fix it. I just want to body build again...

[al-vm]

I had a SLAP tear and half s year of physiotherapy at first. Though i admit i was sloppy with exercises because i didn't feel they were helping much. Then got it reamchored. Because i didn't understand they underlying cause i had an infraspinstus tear years later.

[franckl]

Thanks for this alternative way. Are there many success stories with this method? And what about PRP injection, who tries?

[yobased]

I was spinning my right arm around in a circle going clockwise (from my own perspective) for like 5-10 minutes and felt a slight subluxation for a few seconds as I did this. The next day, I noticed a clicking in the shoulder when rotating it in the same direction. I've had it in a sling ever since in the hopes that, if it's a partial labral tear, it will heal naturally. Can you please recommend how long I should keep it in the sling for? Thanks.

[cameronslavin]

Dislocated shoulder and tore labrum. Nerves damaged, any advice to repair nerves?

[zerosandones]

Is the sling useful if it's been many years since your labrum tear? It's been about 10 years for me, good ROM and can do some lifts but just can't lift heavy or do chest. Talked to two surgeons and both said no guarantee surgery will improve the situation given how minor of a tear it is. Is the sling useful in this situation or is it just strengthening / PT at this point?

[ErinM-]

I’ve had bicep pain for 3 years. Just had a Ct arthrogram and I have a superior labral tear. My surgeon says it’s time for surgery