A hip labral tear is a common cause of hip pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in both active individuals and everyday patients. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the hip socket, helping stabilize the joint and allow smooth movement. When the labrum becomes torn or damaged, it can lead to persistent discomfort and limit your ability to move comfortably.
Our practice offers advanced diagnosis and treatment for hip labral tears, delivered by board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic specialists focused on long-term pain relief and restored hip function.
What Causes a Hip Labral Tear?
Hip labral tears can develop suddenly from injury or gradually due to structural abnormalities or repetitive motion. Common causes include:
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
- Sports-related injuries (soccer, hockey, running, dance)
- Repetitive twisting or pivoting motions
- Traumatic injury or falls
- Hip joint instability
- Age-related degeneration
Many patients have an underlying hip shape abnormality that contributes to labral damage over time.
Common Symptoms of a Hip Labral Tear
Symptoms can vary in severity and may worsen with activity. Common signs include:
- Deep hip or groin pain
- Clicking, locking, or catching in the hip
- Hip stiffness or limited range of motion
- Pain with prolonged sitting or standing
- Discomfort during twisting or pivoting movements
Early evaluation is important to prevent further joint damage and cartilage wear.
Accurate Diagnosis of Hip Labral Tears
Our hip specialists perform a thorough physical examination and use advanced imaging such as X-rays and MRI (often with contrast) to confirm the diagnosis and identify contributing factors like impingement or joint degeneration. Accurate diagnosis allows for a customized treatment plan tailored to your activity level and goals.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Hip Labral Tears
Many patients experience improvement with conservative care, especially when symptoms are mild or caught early. Non-surgical treatment options may include:
- Activity modification and rest
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Targeted physical therapy
- Corticosteroid or biologic injections
- Strengthening and mobility programs
These treatments aim to reduce inflammation, improve hip mechanics, and relieve pain.
When Is Surgery Needed for a Hip Labral Tear?
Surgery may be recommended if symptoms persist despite non-surgical treatment or if mechanical symptoms significantly limit function. Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to repair or reshape the labrum and correct underlying causes such as FAI.
Surgical treatment is designed to relieve pain, improve stability, and protect the hip joint from long-term degeneration.
Benefits of Hip Labral Tear Treatment
- Reduced hip and groin pain
- Improved range of motion and stability
- Enhanced athletic and daily performance
- Prevention of further joint damage
- Improved quality of life
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery depends on the severity of the tear and the type of treatment provided. Physical therapy plays a critical role in restoring strength, flexibility, and proper movement patterns. Most patients gradually return to normal activities over weeks to months with guided care.
Schedule a Hip Evaluation
If hip pain, clicking, or stiffness is interfering with your daily activities or athletic performance, expert care can help. Early treatment often leads to better outcomes and faster recovery.
Contact us today to schedule a hip labral tear evaluation and learn more about your treatment options.
HIP LABRAL TEAR Q&A
What is a hip labral tear?
A hip labral tear is an injury that affects the cartilage that lines the socket joint in the hip.
Your hip is a large weight-bearing joint that connects the ball joint of your upper leg and the socket joint in the pelvis. Both joints are covered in cartilage.
The acetabular labrum is an extra piece of cartilage that lines the rim of the socket joint. It acts as a seal that keeps the ball and socket joint in place and provides joint stability.
A labral tear affects the structure and function of your hip joint, causing joint instability.
What causes a hip labral tear?
Labral tears often occur from traumatic or overuse injuries. Athletes who engage in repetitive hip motions or high-impact sports are more likely to develop this type of injury.
You may also develop this type of hip condition if you have a hip impingement (imperfect fit of the ball and socket joint) or osteoarthritis in the hip (degeneration of the cartilage that occurs over time).
What does a hip labral tear feel like?
A hip labral tear causes pain in the hip. The type and location of your hip pain help the team at Texas Orthopaedic Associates determine the cause of your discomfort.
With a hip labral tear, you may feel pain in the groin or buttocks that worsens when you rotate your hip in certain directions. You may also hear a clicking sound in your hip when you move and feel a bit unsteady.
However, it’s possible to have a hip labral tear without any symptoms.
What are the treatments for a hip labral tear?
The team at Texas Orthopaedic Associates customizes treatments for hip labral tears based on the severity of the cartilage damage and your symptoms. A hip labral tear can’t heal on its own, but not all tears need surgery.
For a minor tear, the team may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), joint injections, and physical therapy to reduce pain.
However, if you continue to have symptoms or the tear is moderate to severe, the team may recommend hip arthroscopy to repair, reconstruct, or debride the acetabular labrum.
Call Texas Orthopaedic Associates today or request an appointment online to discuss your hip labral tear treatment options.