When is Hip Labral Repair recommended?

This procedure may be considered when: Symptomatic labral tear with failed conservative treatment; Labral tear with adequate tissue quality for repair; Femoroacetabular impingement with associated labral damage; Hip pain, catching, or mechanical symptoms attributed to labral pathology.

What are the risks of Hip Labral Repair?

Potential risks include: Failure of the labral repair or re-tear; Persistent pain or stiffness; Traction-related nerve injury; Infection of the joint; Progression to hip arthritis despite repair.

What is recovery like after Hip Labral Repair?

Recovery typically involves: Crutches or assistive devices are typically used for 4 to 6 weeks; Weight bearing may be limited or protected initially; Passive range of motion exercises begin early; Active hip flexion is often restricted for the first several weeks to protect the repair.

Hip Labral Repair

Also known as: Hip labrum repair, Acetabular labral repair, Hip acetabular labrum repair, Arthroscopic hip labral repair, Hip labral tear repair, Hip labrum reattachment surgery, Hip labral repair surgery

Last updated: December 18, 2024

Hip labral repair is surgery to reattach and restore a torn labrum, the ring of cartilage around the hip socket. It is typically done arthroscopically and is often combined with treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. It is used for symptomatic labral tears that have not improved with conservative treatment and when tissue quality allows repair. Risks include repair failure or re-tear, and recovery often involves crutches for 4 to 6 weeks.

Key Facts

•Hip labral repair is a surgical procedure to reattach and restore the torn labrum, the ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip socket
•Considered when conservative treatment has not provided adequate symptom relief
•Performed arthroscopically under anesthesia with specialized instruments
•Recovery involves physical therapy over weeks to months, with gradual return to activities

Overview

Hip labral repair is a surgical procedure to reattach and restore the torn labrum, the ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip socket. The procedure is typically performed arthroscopically and often combined with treatment of underlying femoroacetabular impingement. Labral repair aims to preserve the labrum's important functions of joint sealing, stability, and load distribution.

Indications

This procedure may be considered when:

•Symptomatic labral tear with failed conservative treatment
•Labral tear with adequate tissue quality for repair
•Femoroacetabular impingement with associated labral damage
•Hip pain, catching, or mechanical symptoms attributed to labral pathology
•Labral tears in active individuals desiring return to sports
•Absence of significant arthritis or cartilage damage

How It Works

The procedure typically involves several coordinated steps:

•The procedure is performed under general or regional anesthesia
•The patient is positioned on a fracture table with hip traction applied
•Arthroscopic portals are created around the hip joint
•The labral tear is identified and the tissue quality is assessed
•Damaged or frayed tissue is debrided while preserving viable labrum
•The acetabular rim is prepared to create a bleeding bone surface for healing
•Suture anchors are placed into the acetabular rim
•Sutures are passed through the labral tissue to reattach it to the rim
•Underlying impingement (cam or pincer) is addressed with osteoplasty if present
•The repair is evaluated for stability and the capsule may be closed

Risks

As with any surgical procedure, potential risks include:

•Failure of the labral repair or re-tear
•Persistent pain or stiffness
•Traction-related nerve injury
•Infection of the joint
•Progression to hip arthritis despite repair
•Heterotopic ossification
•Anchor-related complications
•Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (rare)
•Need for revision surgery or hip replacement

Recovery Expectations

Recovery follows a gradual progression:

•Crutches or assistive devices are typically used for 4 to 6 weeks
•Weight bearing may be limited or protected initially
•Passive range of motion exercises begin early
•Active hip flexion is often restricted for the first several weeks to protect the repair
•Stationary cycling and pool exercises may begin as healing progresses
•Progressive strengthening begins around 6 to 8 weeks
•Return to running and agility activities may occur around 3 to 4 months
•Full return to sports typically requires 6 to 9 months
•Compliance with rehabilitation is essential for optimal outcomes

Alternatives

Depending on individual circumstances, alternatives may include:

•Physical therapy and conservative management
•Intra-articular hip injections
•Activity modification
•Labral debridement (removal of damaged tissue without repair)
•Labral reconstruction (using graft tissue) for irreparable tears
•Hip replacement for severe arthritis

Hip Labral Tear(Condition)
Hip Arthroscopy(Procedure)
Shoulder Labrum Repair(Procedure)