What are the symptoms of Hip Labral Tear?

Common symptoms include: Pain in the groin or front of the hip; Pain that may radiate to the buttock or thigh; Catching, locking, or clicking sensation in the hip; Stiffness or reduced range of motion; Pain with prolonged sitting or walking.

How is Hip Labral Tear diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves: Medical history focusing on symptom characteristics and aggravating activities; Physical examination including hip range of motion and provocative tests (FADIR, FABER); Assessment for underlying structural abnormalities; X-rays to evaluate bone morphology and assess for impingement or dysplasia.

Hip Labral Tear

Also known as: Acetabular labral tear, Hip acetabular labrum tear, Hip labrum tear, Torn hip labrum, Labral tear of the hip, Hip labral cartilage tear

Last updated: December 18, 2024

A hip labral tear is damage to the ring of cartilage around the rim of the hip socket (acetabulum). The labrum helps seal and stabilize the hip joint. Tears may result from injury, structural problems such as femoroacetabular impingement, or degenerative changes, and can cause groin or front-hip pain that may spread to the buttock or thigh, along with catching, locking, or clicking. Many improve with physical therapy and activity modification.

Key Facts

•A hip labral tear is damage to the ring of cartilage (labrum) that surrounds the rim of the hip socket (acetabulum)
•Pain in the groin or front of the hip
•Diagnosed through history, physical exam, and imaging
•First-line treatment includes exercise, weight management, and activity modification

What It Is

A hip labral tear is damage to the ring of cartilage (labrum) that surrounds the rim of the hip socket (acetabulum). The labrum helps to seal and stabilize the hip joint. Tears may result from injury, structural abnormalities such as femoroacetabular impingement, or degenerative changes, and can cause groin pain, catching, or clicking sensations.

Affected Anatomy

This condition affects several structures in and around the joint:

•Acetabular labrum (cartilage rim of the hip socket)
•Acetabular rim
•Femoral head (ball of the hip joint)
•Hip joint capsule
•Articular cartilage of the acetabulum and femoral head
•Surrounding hip muscles and tendons

Common Symptoms

Symptoms can vary in intensity and may change over time. Common experiences include:

•Pain in the groin or front of the hip
•Pain that may radiate to the buttock or thigh
•Catching, locking, or clicking sensation in the hip
•Stiffness or reduced range of motion
•Pain with prolonged sitting or walking
•Pain that worsens with pivoting, twisting, or deep hip flexion
•Feeling of instability or giving way
•Night pain in some cases

Causes and Risk Factors

Multiple factors can contribute to the development of this condition:

Causes

•Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) causing repetitive pinching and damage to the labrum
•Traumatic injury such as a fall, motor vehicle accident, or sports injury
•Repetitive hip movements, particularly in athletes
•Structural abnormalities including hip dysplasia
•Degenerative changes with aging
•Sudden twisting or pivoting movements

Risk Factors

•Femoroacetabular impingement (cam or pincer morphology)
•Hip dysplasia or acetabular undercoverage
•Participation in sports requiring repetitive hip motion (soccer, hockey, ballet, golf)
•Previous hip injury
•Generalized joint hypermobility
•Repetitive occupational hip loading

How It's Diagnosed

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical assessment and imaging studies:

•Medical history focusing on symptom characteristics and aggravating activities
•Physical examination including hip range of motion and provocative tests (FADIR, FABER)
•Assessment for underlying structural abnormalities
•X-rays to evaluate bone morphology and assess for impingement or dysplasia
•MRI arthrography (with contrast) is the preferred imaging for visualizing labral tears
•Standard MRI may detect some tears but is less sensitive than MR arthrography
•Diagnostic hip injection may help confirm that symptoms originate from the hip joint

Treatment Options

Treatment approaches range from conservative measures to surgical interventions, often starting with the least invasive options:

Self-Care and Activity Modification

•Activity modification to avoid aggravating positions and movements
•Treatment of associated femoroacetabular impingement if present (osteoplasty)

Physical Therapy and Exercise

•Physical therapy focusing on hip strengthening, flexibility, and biomechanics

Medications

•NSAIDs for pain and inflammation management

Injections and Office-Based Procedures

•Intra-articular hip injections may provide diagnostic information and temporary relief

Surgery

•Hip arthroscopy to repair or debride the labral tear and address underlying impingement
•Periacetabular osteotomy for underlying hip dysplasia in selected cases

Prognosis and Recovery

The course of this condition varies between individuals:

•Many patients experience improvement with physical therapy and activity modification
•Arthroscopic outcomes vary based on cartilage status, underlying pathology, and patient factors
•Addressing underlying structural abnormalities may improve outcomes
•Some patients may develop progressive arthritis despite treatment
•Return to sports is possible for many patients following successful treatment

Hip Arthroscopy(Procedure)
Hip Labral Repair(Procedure)
Hip Osteoarthritis(Condition)

Frequently Asked Questions

Treatment options range from conservative measures to surgical interventions, including: Activity modification to avoid aggravating positions and movements; Physical therapy focusing on hip strengthening, flexibility, and biomechanics; NSAIDs for pain and inflammation management; Intra-articular hip injections may provide diagnostic information and temporary relief; Hip arthroscopy to repair or debride the labral tear and address underlying impingement.