Hip Labral Tears
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the hip socket. When torn, it can cause pain, clicking, and instability. Learn about causes and treatment options.
What is a Hip Labral Tear?
The hip labrum is a ring of tough cartilage that surrounds the hip socket (acetabulum). It helps to deepen the socket, providing stability to the hip joint and acting as a shock absorber.
A labral tear occurs when this cartilage is damaged or torn. This can happen suddenly from an injury or develop gradually from repetitive stress or structural abnormalities like FAI or hip dysplasia.
Labral tears are a common cause of hip pain in young, active adults and athletes, though they can occur at any age.
Symptoms
Labral tear symptoms can vary from mild to severe:
- Pain in the hip or groin area
- Clicking, locking, or catching sensation in the hip
- Stiffness or limited range of motion
- A feeling of instability in the hip
- Pain that worsens with activity or prolonged sitting
- Night pain that disturbs sleep
Diagnosis
Diagnosing a labral tear involves:
- • Physical examination with specific hip tests
- • MRA (MRI with contrast) - gold standard for labral tears
- • X-rays to assess bone structure
- • Diagnostic injection to confirm the hip as the pain source
Causes of Labral Tears
Structural Abnormalities
FAI (hip impingement) or hip dysplasia can cause labral damage over time
Trauma
Falls, car accidents, or sports injuries can tear the labrum
Repetitive Motions
Sports with twisting movements like golf, hockey, or ballet
Degenerative Changes
Wear and tear associated with aging and arthritis
Treatment Options
Rest & Activity Modification
Avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms
Physical Therapy
Strengthening hip muscles and improving mechanics
Injections
Corticosteroid injections for pain relief and diagnosis
Hip Arthroscopy
Minimally invasive surgery to repair or debride the labrum
Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Tears
When conservative treatment doesn’t provide relief, hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical option. Through small incisions, Dr. Hunter can repair the torn labrum and address any underlying structural issues like FAI.
Recovery typically involves 2-4 weeks on crutches followed by physical therapy, with return to full activity in 4-6 months.
Related Conditions
Get relief from hip labral pain
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hunter to discuss your symptoms and explore treatment options for your labral tear.