SLAP stands for superior labrum, anterior and posterior. It refers to a torn rim of fibrous cartilage (the labrum) that
edges the shoulder socket. The tear is at the top of the socket (that's what superior means) and goes from the front (anterior) to the back (posterior) of the socket. This is a common injury in overhead throwing athletes, but can also occur as a result of trauma from a fall.

Frozen shoulder is the layperson's term for a medical condition calledadhesive capsulitis. Inflammation of the tissues in and around the shoulder joint leads to fibrosis (scarring). The result is the joint gets stuck and can't move smoothly anymore. Painful and limited shoulder motion are the two main characteristics of this condition.

You didn't mention the reason why you have a frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis). Sometimes the underlying cause (if there is one) is a predictor of what will happen or how to best treat it. For example, patients with diabetes who develop a frozen shoulder have a longer course of recovery with variable results compared to someone who may have fallen onto an outstretched hand or on to the elbow/upper arm.

Many people do heal from a broken clavicle (collarbone). They wear a sling for a while. They are told what shoulder and arm movements to avoid for a few weeks (up to a month). This type of nonoperative treatment is called conservative care. This is the traditional way to treat fractures of the clavicle.

You've probably seen a few folks along the way with a broken clavicle (collarbone). Most of the time, these injuries were left alone to heal on their own. Patients might have been given a sling to wear for a while. They were probably told what motions to avoid during the healing process. But that traditional view is no longer accepted. Now we know that these injuries occur on a continuum. Some people may need special care.

With any surgical procedure (such as the shoulder joint replacement), there can be problems. The most common situation is shoulder replacement surgery that fails due to fracture or bone loss. Treatment options are limited. But surgeons are looking for ways to change that.

If the infection was discovered soon enough, it may be possible to treat it with antibiotics. Sometimes, it depends on the type of infection, location, and length of time left untreated.

It's always a good idea to gather a little information that could help you when making major decisions such as having a total shoulder replacement (TSR). Knowing a bit about the different models and makes of implants can help you understand suggestions the surgeon might make.

Complications can occur with any type of surgery. Implant failure due to fracture (breakage of the bone or the implant), loosening of the implant, or subsidence (sinking into the bone) are the most common problems with shoulder joint replacements.

Hip and knee joint replacements have been around long enough now to have the results of long-term studies. But total shoulder replacements (TSR) are still new enough that the first 10- to 15-year follow-up studies are just coming out. In this report, surgeons from the Rochester, Minnesota Mayo Clinic present the longest duration study on shoulders with cemented metal-backed glenoid components.