Hip Labral Tears

The labrum is the soft cartilage ring lining the rim of the hip socket, or acetabulum. This cartilage can be torn as a result of any injury to the hip joint, or even wear from repetitive use athletic activities such as golf. Certain other conditions of the hip can increase the risk of labral tears, including:

• Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAI), which occurs when there is impingement of the bone from the femur on the socket of the acetabulum.
• Hip dysplasia, a deformity or misaligning of the hip bone.
• Osteoarthritis, a result of basic wear and tear on your joints.

Symptoms of a hip labral tear may include a limited range of motion in the hip, pain while performing an activity, clicking or locking of the hip, or a feeling of the hip suddenly “giving out.”

Conservative, non-surgical treatment is usually the first course of action in treating labral hip tears. This may include anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen, physical therapy, and injections into the hip joint. Tears not responding appropriately to conservative treatment can be repaired with arthroscopic surgery, usually an out-patient procedure performed while the patient is under general anesthesia.

Following surgery, a brace is worn to provide additional support during the healing process and physical therapy will be prescribed to properly build up strength in the leg, hip, and core muscles. Successful treatment is dependent on the patient’s diligent compliance with instructions given by the physician and therapist.