What is the difference between having a slap lesion and a rotator cuff tear?

Shoulder injury: A slap lesion refers to an injury to the labrum. A rotator cuff injury is to one of the 4 tendon or muscles that help move the shoulder.

Labrum vs. tendon: http://www.theshouldercenter.com/labrum-tear-slap-lesion.htmhttp://www.theshouldercenter.com/rotator-cuff-tear.htm these links will help you with more information and a more clear explanation of each diagnosis.

Slap is a cartilage: The ring of cartilage on the edge of the glenoid in the shoulder is called the labrum. The rotator cuff is the tendon that attaches to the humerus tuberosities. The rotator cuff tendon provides power to rotate the shoulder. The slap tear is a tear of the labrum at the top of the joint. The labrum provides stability to the shoulder.

Very Different: The rotator cuff is the tendon that attaches the small muscles of the shoulder to the ball and controls rotation. The labrum is the meniscus or shock absorber of the shoulder socket. When it is torn on the superior aspect it is called a slap (superior labrum anterior to posterior) tear. Slap tears are more common in young athletic populations while rtc tears are more common in older patients.

Slap is a tear...: Of the labrum. A rotator cuff tear is a tear i. The tendons that connect to the ball of the ball and socket joint. Both can be repaired arthroscopically and both have simar rehab periods. Slap patients tend to recover slightly more quickly. Thanks. Great question.

Labrum vs cuff: Slap lesion is a tear of the superior (top) part of the labrum that extends from anterior (front) to posterior (back): this is a year in soft tissue around the socket of the shoulder; the cuff is 4 muscles+tendons around the shoulder-tears typically occur where the tendons attach to the top of the arm bone around the ball part of the shoulder these injuries often are found together.