Hip labral tear
What is it?
The hip is a ball and socket joint. The lip of the socket is lined with a ring of cartilage called the labrum. This protects the bone and helps to create a seal round the joint. A tear in this layer can create irritation in the hip joint, causing pain and limiting movement.
Symptoms
You may feel as if your hip is catching or locking, and there may be a painful clicking. You may not be able to move your leg towards your chest as much as you usually can.
You may have pain on one side of your groin, and may also have pain in your buttock and lower back.
Causes
Hip labral tears are often caused by a sudden twisting or pivoting movement, but can also occur after running or a fall. Extending your leg too far or squatting can also cause tears.
Treatment
A sports medicine professional, such as a sports medicine doctor or physiotherapist, can diagnose and treat hip laberal tears.
Your doctor will usually first recommend painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to relieve your symptoms. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine, and ask your pharmacist for advice. You may be referred to see a sports medicine professional, such as a sports medicine doctor for a diagnosis. An MRI scan is usually needed to confirm a labral tear.
The only way a hip labral tear can be cured is with a type of surgery called a hip arthroscopy. A hip arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery that is used to look inside the joint and treat it. This involves removing the flap of cartilage that has been created by the tear, and repairing the tear with stitches. After surgery, you will probably require physiotherapy for rehabilitation.
Do
- Visit your GP if you have pain in your groin or back, or can feel a painful clicking in your hip.
- Take time to recover, it can take up to 12 weeks to fully recover from your injury.
Don't
- Ignore symptoms – an untreated tear will gradually get worse and lead to permanent damage.
Peer reviewed by David Toy, MCSP, Bupa Sports Medicine physiotherapist
Publication date: June 2009
