Labral Tear vs Shoulder Impingement – Understanding the Difference

Labral Tear vs Shoulder Impingement – Understanding the Difference

Do you feel pain or catching in your shoulder during lifting or overhead movements? Or do you struggle with weakness and discomfort when reaching out? These could indicate either a labral tear or shoulder impingement, two conditions that are often confused but very different.

A labral tear occurs when the cartilage ring (labrum) around the shoulder joint is damaged, usually due to injury, trauma, or repetitive overhead sports. Symptoms include clicking, catching, instability, and deep shoulder pain. On the other hand, shoulder impingement happens when the rotator cuff tendons get compressed under the acromion, causing sharp pain on lifting the arm, restricted range, and weakness.

Physiotherapy is crucial for both conditions. For a labral tear, rehab focuses on strengthening shoulder stabilizers, restoring mobility, and preventing instability. For shoulder impingement, treatment includes pain-relieving modalities like ultrasound or IFT, postural correction, rotator cuff strengthening, and flexibility exercises.

If you’re searching for a “physiotherapist near me” for shoulder pain, consider Dr. Deepika Bansal – Physiotherapist in Balewadi, Wakad, Aundh, Pimple Saudagar. As a reliable and skilled physiotherapist in Pune, Dr. Bansal offers personalized care to diagnose, treat, and restore shoulder function effectively. Early physiotherapy can prevent worsening and help you regain pain-free mobility.