Hip Labral Tear

A hip labral tear is an injury to the cartilage that lines the outside of your hip joint. The labrum acts as a gasket, helping hold the ball at the top of your thighbone securely within your hip socket. A torn labrum can cause pain, instability and reduced range of motion in your hip. Structural problems of the hip can also lead to a hip labral tear.

The primary cause of a labral tear is repetitive motion or injury to the hip joint, most commonly seen in athletes involved in high-impact sports such as soccer, football, basketball and hockey. A traumatic injury, such as a fall, can also cause labral tears.

Some individuals are born with structural problems in the hip that accelerate the incidence of a hip labral tear due to wear and tear. Another condition, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), can contribute to pinching of the labrum and accelerated deterioration.

Those who engage in activities such as ice hockey, soccer, football, golf and ballet are at higher risk of developing hip labral tears. The risk increases with age and genetics.

Strengthening the hip muscles is the most effective method for preventing labral tears in the hip joint. If pain occurs, it may be necessary to modify movement and technique, opting for low-impact exercises like swimming and walking.

A range of exercises that improve flexibility, range of motion and strength include: 

• Glute-strengthening exercises
• Hip rotator exercises
• Core-strengthening exercises
• Quad and hamstring exercises
• Stretching, including yoga, Pilates and dynamic stretching with fluid motions

Symptoms can include pain in the groin, outer hip or buttock. Tenderness and clicking, popping or locking sensations may occur with joint movement. Most individuals also experience more pain after long periods of standing, sitting, walking or athletic activity.

To diagnose a hip labral tear, your doctor will conduct an extensive physical examination and review your medical history. They may also request X-rays, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or an arthrogram to confirm a diagnosis.

Symptoms of a hip labral tear typically improve with rest. If the condition is exacerbated by overuse, a change in work habits, exercise routines or hobbies may be needed to prevent flare-ups. Some extreme cases may require surgical treatment. This procedure would involve arthroscopic debridement (removal of damaged or torn labral tissue), arthroscopic repair (stitching the torn labrum) or hip replacement surgery.

Whether you are recovering from surgery or trying to avoid it, the experts at the Montefiore Einstein Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation may treat your condition with: 

• Physical therapy
• Non-opioid oral pain management
• Image-guided cortisone injections to the hip joint

Many labral tears heal with time, rest and activity modification. Physical and occupational therapies are also highly effective for muscle repair or rehabilitation from surgery. Over-the-counter pain medications are effective for pain management.