Review shoulder labral tear MRI signs, including SLAP lesions, Bankart tears, posterior labral injury, paralabral cysts, and instability-related bone findings with privacy-first AI imaging support.
The glenoid labrum is a fibrocartilaginous ring that deepens the shoulder socket and serves as an attachment point for the glenohumeral ligaments and long head of the biceps tendon. Labral tears are classified by location and pattern: SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) tears involve the superior labrum at the biceps anchor, while Bankart lesions involve the anteroinferior labrum and are associated with shoulder dislocations. This page focuses on the imaging workup: where the labrum is torn, which MRI planes show it best, and whether instability-related bone injuries are also present.
For a deeper guide to superior labrum types, read the SLAP tear classification guide. For dislocation-related labral injury and bone loss, see the Bankart and Hill-Sachs MRI guide.
A SLAP lesion is centered at the superior labrum and biceps anchor, so coronal-oblique and axial images are reviewed for fluid undercutting the labrum, detachment of the biceps anchor, or extension into the long head of biceps tendon. These findings explain deep pain with overhead loading, throwing, or traction injuries.
A Bankart lesion sits at the anteroinferior labrum after anterior dislocation. Axial images are checked for labral avulsion, capsulolabral stripping, glenoid rim fracture, and a matching Hill-Sachs impaction injury on the humeral head. Posterior labral tears are assessed separately because they can follow posterior instability or repetitive loading rather than classic anterior dislocation.
Review images in the free shoulder MRI viewer or free shoulder CT viewer, then compare related pages for shoulder impingement and clavicle fracture.
Labral tear wording can vary between radiology reports, orthopedic exams, and surgical findings. Treat AI explanations as orientation: they can organize visible imaging clues, but they cannot confirm instability, identify the pain generator, or decide whether therapy, injection, arthroscopy, or urgent evaluation is needed.
Discuss the report with a clinician who can compare symptoms, instability tests, range of motion, strength, prior dislocation history, and whether MRI, MR arthrography, CT, or CT arthrography is the right next study.
A SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) tear involves the superior labrum at the biceps anchor, typically caused by repetitive overhead loading or a fall on an outstretched arm. A Bankart lesion is an anteroinferior labral avulsion at the 3 to 6 o'clock position resulting from anterior glenohumeral dislocation. Both are best visualized on MR arthrogram, where intra-articular gadolinium outlines the labrum and highlights tears as linear contrast extension into the labral tissue. Axial T2-FS images depict Bankart lesions, while coronal-oblique and sagittal sequences demonstrate SLAP tears at the biceps anchor.
MR arthrogram is the most sensitive imaging study for labral pathology, with sensitivity exceeding 90% for SLAP tears and anteroinferior Bankart lesions. Intra-articular gadolinium distends the joint capsule and infiltrates labral defects, converting subtle fraying to clearly demarcated signal abnormalities. Standard MRI without arthrogram misses a significant proportion of partial labral tears. The axial plane is critical for Bankart lesions, while the coronal-oblique plane evaluates the superior labrum and biceps anchor. A Hill-Sachs impaction fracture of the posterosuperior humeral head, visible on axial images, corroborates a history of anterior dislocation.
Arthroscopic labral repair is the standard treatment for symptomatic Bankart and SLAP lesions that fail conservative management. For Bankart repairs, the anteroinferior labrum is reattached to the glenoid rim with suture anchors, restoring the labral bumper and capsulolabral complex. SLAP repairs reattach the superior labrum and biceps anchor. In patients over 35 with SLAP tears, biceps tenodesis often produces more reliable results than superior labral repair. Bony Bankart lesions with significant anterior glenoid bone loss may require the Latarjet coracoid transfer procedure to restore osseous stability. Postoperative rehabilitation focuses on progressive range of motion followed by rotator cuff strengthening.
Understand your shoulder MRI report, key anatomical structures, and what common findings mean.
Understand SLAP tear types I-IV on shoulder MRI, including superior labrum fraying, biceps anchor detachment, bucket-handle tears, biceps tendon extension, and treatment implications.
Bankart and Hill-Sachs lesions on shoulder MRI — anterior shoulder dislocation pattern, on-track vs off-track concept, glenoid bone loss, and recurrence risk.
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