Thuri Helgadottir has revealed that she has been diagnosed with a superior labral tear anterior to posterior (SLAP) 2 lesion on her shoulder after receiving the results of an MRI performed last week.
Helgadottir shared on her Instagram that the genesis of the injury occurred in August when she hit the water after bouncing off a giant inflatable balloon. If you’re so inclined, you can actually watch the injury happen here:
Following the fall, Helgadottir felt a crack in her shoulder during one of her first workouts after the CrossFit Games. Uncertain if she had sustained an injury or not, she refrained from doing any pull-ups in the hope of feeling healthy to compete the following week at the Austrian Throwdown.
She realized something was indeed wrong with her shoulder after performing a combination of pull-ups, muscle-ups, chin-to-bars, and handstand push-ups during the 5th workout on the 3rd and final day of that competition.
Helgadottir further explains how she is currently handling the injury in her Instagram post, where she writes,
I am giving a cortisone injection a try with a lot of stability exercises and some rest a chance before surgery.
Thuri Helgadottir has competed in the Reebok CrossFit Games five times since 2012. She most recently placed 9th in 2019, and she finished 19th and 18th in 2016 and 2017, respectively. She has also finished in the top 4 of the CrossFit Games Iceland Open for the past five years, highlighted by a 2nd place finish in 2017.
Despite the shoulder injury, Helgadottir believes she can make a full recovery and return for the 2020 CrossFit Games saying, “I am so lucky to be able to look up to some of my fellow CrossFit competitors that have [proved] that you can come back from an injury even stronger.”
Feature image from Thuri Helgadottir Instagram
SLAP 2 Lesion FAQs
What is a SLAP 2 lesion?
- A SLAP tear is a common injury to the superior part of the labrum in the shoulder that attaches directly to the long head of the biceps tendon.
- There are four types of superior labrum lesions.
- Type 2 SLAP lesions occur when there is a detachment of the superior labrum and the origin of the tendon of the long head of the biceps glenoid.
How long does recovery take after a SLAP 2 lesion surgery?
- Recovery time from a SLAP 2 lesion varies, but usually takes approximately five to six months, presuming proper rehabilitation is completed.
