A patient underwent surgical repair of a superior labrum tear in the shoulder 1 week ago. Which resisted motion should be AVOIDED during physical examination of the patient?

• A. Forearm Pronation
• B. Forearm Supination
• C. Scapular Retraction
• D. Scapular Protraction

Answer: (B)

After a SLAP (superior labrum) repair, protecting the repair site in the early healing phase is key. The long head of the biceps tendon attaches to the superior labrum, so resisted forearm supination actively engages the biceps and places traction on the repair. At one week post-op, this tension can jeopardize healing, so resisted forearm supination should be avoided during examination.

Forearm pronation, by contrast, loads the forearm muscles other than the biceps, so it does not stress the labral repair in the same way. Scapular movements like retraction or protraction involve the shoulder blade rather than directly loading the labrum through the biceps, and are generally less risky early on. Therefore, the motion to avoid is forearm supination.