What is a Labrum Tear? Expert’s Opinion on Ja Morant’s Season Ending Shoulder Subluxation

Right when it all seemed like things were settling down for the Memphis Grizzlies, the recent update broke many hearts. Especially for someone like Ja Morant, who already missed 25 games due to suspension, this news could be frustrating to take it into his system. As the superstar is all set to undergo the season-ending surgery, let’s go into the specifics of the injury. What exactly is a ‘Labrum tear’?

Players often get injured when it comes to the NBA. One of the gravest injuries is the ACL tear. Many star players like Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Jamal Murray went through the tedious process of recovering from the injury, missed an entire season, and made a strong comeback. In that line, the labrum tear seemed to have created a similar impact on Ja Morant. Let’s find out more about that in detail.

What is a Labrum tear?

In the Grizzlies’ last outing against the Phoenix Suns, Ja Morant was seen wearing an arm sling pouch, sitting courtside. While it seemed like a minor injury caused during the practice session, it turned out to be a grave one for the 24-year-old.

Grizzlies announced that Ja sustained a Labrum tear on his left shoulder, and would miss the entire season, following the surgery.

Minutes after the announcement, Dr. Nirav Pandya, Associate professor of UCSF Orthopedic Surgery, took to his X handle and made it simple for the sports fans. The post read, “A shoulder subluxation is when the shoulder partially “dislocates.” This typically will tear the labrum which is the cartilage which helps to stabilize the joint. Surgery generally involves repairing the labrum back to bone. Return to play is usually 4-6 months.” 

While the expert suggested that the star could return to his full fitness within 4-6 months, the NBA world has to wait for another six months to witness him in the Grizzlies color.

Read More – Ja Morant Expresses Sorrow on Season-Ending Injury With 2 Words

As we discuss Ja’s Labrum tear, let’s see how another NBA star handled the injury.

Anthony Davis played with a Labrum tear on his left shoulder

A 2016 Bleacher Report article revealed that then-23-year-old Anthony Davis played with a Labrum torn left shoulder for the last three seasons. The doctors advised that surgery wasn’t necessary as the injury was minor, and it occurred in his non-dominant hand. Despite the minor inconvenience, he churned out MVP numbers and finished in the top 5 of the MVP voting in the 2014-15 season.

Similarly, Dwight Howard also played with a torn Labrum in 2013 for the Lakers with a resistance shirt to protect his shoulder. While these two players continued to play with the injury, the Grizzlies management would have considered the future of the team and opted for surgery.

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What do you make of Grizzlies’ fate in Morant’s absence? Let us know in the comments below.