Glenolabral Articular Disruption (GLAD) Lesions

Glenolabral Articular Disruption (GLAD) lesions, a specific type of shoulder injury. They explain that a GLAD lesion involves a superficial tear of the labrum—a rim of cartilage in the shoulder joint—and damage to the adjacent glenoid articular cartilage. While originally thought to only cause pain, the sources highlight that GLAD lesions can also be associated with shoulder instability and dislocations, especially following trauma or repetitive overhead movements. Diagnosis primarily relies on imaging, particularly MR arthrography, due to the often non-specific clinical symptoms. Treatment options range from non-operative approaches like physical therapy to surgical interventions aimed at restoring the articular surface and labral integrity, though more research is needed to refine treatment and understand long-term prognosis.