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Labral hip tear
- Care rated as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of our orthopaedic patients
- No.1 for private orthopaedic care in London
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Hip care at HCA UK
Why choose us?
We understand that hip pain and joint health can affect your quality of life. That’s why we offer fast access to the latest tests and imaging, so we can accurately assess your condition, and diagnose whether you have a labral hip tear as quickly as possible.
Should you need specialist care, our dedicated hip specialists will recommend a fully tailored treatment package for your specific injury or condition. And, you’ll be looked after by a team of multidisciplinary clinicians in one of our leading private hospitals and outpatient facilities.
No wonder 97% of our patients are likely to recommend HCA UK to their family and friends.
Should you need specialist care, our dedicated hip specialists will recommend a fully tailored treatment package for your specific injury or condition. And, you’ll be looked after by a team of multidisciplinary clinicians in one of our leading private hospitals and outpatient facilities.
No wonder 97% of our patients are likely to recommend HCA UK to their family and friends.
A labral tear in the hip is an injury that affects the tissue that holds the ball and socket parts of the hip joint together.
Some of the most common causes of hip labral tears include:
- Trauma: Such as a car accident or falling awkwardly
- Sporting activities: Commonly those associated with impact, such as rugby
- Repetition: Where the hip joint is affected by recurring movements caused by activities like golf, running, or rotational movements such as dancing
- Structural issues: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition where the hip ball (femoral head) does not quite fit the joint socket. Hip dysplasia can also cause damage to the labrum.
The most common reason people seek an appointment with a hip specialist is to diagnose a pain in the groin. Pain caused by a tear can also be felt in the side of the hip and deep within the buttocks. You may also feel like your hip is catching or clicking as you move it, or that it is locking up or giving way.
Symptoms are commonly experienced during periods of activity. Pain can also occur during extended sitting, such as when driving long distances or working at a desk. If symptoms persist, the tear could worsen. This can cause pain and discomfort during sustained activities such as walking, sitting and standing.
Symptoms are commonly experienced during periods of activity. Pain can also occur during extended sitting, such as when driving long distances or working at a desk. If symptoms persist, the tear could worsen. This can cause pain and discomfort during sustained activities such as walking, sitting and standing.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist hip and pelvis consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
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Labral hip tear tests and scans at HCA UK
A diagnosis you can trust
To make a labral hip tear diagnosis, your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you. They’ll ask about the injury and any repetitive movements you regularly make that may have strained the hip.
If your consultant thinks you may have a labral hip tear, they will refer you for some imaging. An MRI scan is the most effective way to diagnose a labral hip tear because the resulting image shows the soft tissue around the hip joint.
People occasionally have a diagnostic injection when undergoing tests for a suspected hip labral tear.
Another way of identifying a hip labral tear is with an X-ray. This may also help rule out hip dysplasia and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).
If your consultant thinks you may have a labral hip tear, they will refer you for some imaging. An MRI scan is the most effective way to diagnose a labral hip tear because the resulting image shows the soft tissue around the hip joint.
People occasionally have a diagnostic injection when undergoing tests for a suspected hip labral tear.
Another way of identifying a hip labral tear is with an X-ray. This may also help rule out hip dysplasia and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).
Fast treatment for labral hip tear at HCA UK
Potential treatment options
Recovery from a labral hip tear is possible without surgery. Whether you’re likely to require surgery depends on factors such as the extent of the damage, your age, and how successful your initial treatment is. Non-surgical treatments include:
Rest: Reducing movements that might aggravate the symptoms is one of the first recommendations made by doctors in the treatment of labral hip tears. If sporting activity caused the tear, you may need to stop for a while to avoid further damage.
Physiotherapy: Our team of experts provide therapeutic techniques designed to rehabilitate and strengthen the hip joint.
Anti-inflammatory medicine: Ibuprofen is often recommended as it can help reduce inflammation and manage pain.
Steroid injections: Steroid (cortisone) injections may be offered to relieve pain and reduce swelling. Your doctor may offer a mixture of cortisone and anaesthetic, where needed. This will be injected into your hip joint, often using ultrasound for optimum precision.
Your consultant will advise the most effective treatment option for you. If non-surgical methods don't work and the pain persists, your consultant may suggest hip labral tear surgery.
Rest: Reducing movements that might aggravate the symptoms is one of the first recommendations made by doctors in the treatment of labral hip tears. If sporting activity caused the tear, you may need to stop for a while to avoid further damage.
Physiotherapy: Our team of experts provide therapeutic techniques designed to rehabilitate and strengthen the hip joint.
Anti-inflammatory medicine: Ibuprofen is often recommended as it can help reduce inflammation and manage pain.
Steroid injections: Steroid (cortisone) injections may be offered to relieve pain and reduce swelling. Your doctor may offer a mixture of cortisone and anaesthetic, where needed. This will be injected into your hip joint, often using ultrasound for optimum precision.
Your consultant will advise the most effective treatment option for you. If non-surgical methods don't work and the pain persists, your consultant may suggest hip labral tear surgery.
Accessing private healthcare
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You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
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Labral hip tear FAQs
The labrum is the ring of cartilage surrounding joints including the shoulder and hip. In the hip, this cartilage lines the acetabulum, which is the hip socket where the head of the thigh bone (femur) sits.
The labrum absorbs friction caused by activity that affects the hip joint and shares the force created equally across the hip. A labral tear in the hip occurs when the labrum is damaged, which usually takes place over an extended period.
The labrum absorbs friction caused by activity that affects the hip joint and shares the force created equally across the hip. A labral tear in the hip occurs when the labrum is damaged, which usually takes place over an extended period.
There are two types of hip labral tear. The one you have depends on the part of the joint that’s affected:
Anterior: This is the most common type of hip labral tear. It occurs at the front of the hip and is usually caused by repetitive movements, such as twisting or pivoting.
Posterior: These tears occur at the back of the hip. They are usually caused by traumatic injuries that affect the rear part of the hip joint.
Anterior: This is the most common type of hip labral tear. It occurs at the front of the hip and is usually caused by repetitive movements, such as twisting or pivoting.
Posterior: These tears occur at the back of the hip. They are usually caused by traumatic injuries that affect the rear part of the hip joint.
The best way to protect your hips and reduce the risk of hip labral tears is to follow a proper programme of strengthening exercises for the hip and core. It’s important to include a warm up and cool down and stretch fully afterwards.
It’s also really important to listen to your body and address any pain you might be experiencing as soon as possible. We advise consulting a hip specialist to check for injuries and confirm the health and condition of the whole region of your hip and lower back.
It’s also really important to listen to your body and address any pain you might be experiencing as soon as possible. We advise consulting a hip specialist to check for injuries and confirm the health and condition of the whole region of your hip and lower back.
The most common type of surgery used to repair a hip labral tear is hip arthroscopy. Your orthopaedic surgeon will make a small incision, using an arthroscope (camera), to examine the affected area and, if necessary, repair the tear.
Following surgery, you’ll undergo a period of rehabilitation and gradually return to activity once the joint is fully recovered. Athletes should be able to return to their sport after about six months, however recovery times can vary.
Following surgery, you’ll undergo a period of rehabilitation and gradually return to activity once the joint is fully recovered. Athletes should be able to return to their sport after about six months, however recovery times can vary.
In many cases, people with a labral hip tear do not experience any pain. However, the pain can be mild to severe for some. It depends on the type of tear you have, how long you have had it, and how other factors aggravate it, such as the type of pressure you put on the hips during exercise.
Those affected by a hip labral tear describe anything from a dull ache to a sharp pain when moving the hip in a certain way or during activities that rotate the joint. Pain can also be felt deeper inside the body, rather than as a cramp or muscle pain. Some people with a hip labral tear experience a radiating pain that spreads out from the hip to other areas, including the groin and lower back.
In order to avoid feeling the pain, it’s common for those affected to modify how they walk and move. This, in turn, can then impact their posture and put pressure on other muscles around the hip and lower back, creating other issues, such as back pain.
Those affected by a hip labral tear describe anything from a dull ache to a sharp pain when moving the hip in a certain way or during activities that rotate the joint. Pain can also be felt deeper inside the body, rather than as a cramp or muscle pain. Some people with a hip labral tear experience a radiating pain that spreads out from the hip to other areas, including the groin and lower back.
In order to avoid feeling the pain, it’s common for those affected to modify how they walk and move. This, in turn, can then impact their posture and put pressure on other muscles around the hip and lower back, creating other issues, such as back pain.
Anyone can damage or injure their hip in a way that leads to a labral tear. However, if you play sports that involve a lot of tackling, falling or repeated twisting motion of the hips – or if your career requires you to put a lot of pressure on the hips, you’re more likely to experience tears in the labrum.
Hip arthroscopy is a relatively minor procedure, meaning you can usually return home on the same day.
It can take around three to six months to fully recover after hip labrum surgery. You should be able to return to low-impact work after a couple of weeks and sport after three months, although you’ll need to follow the guidance of your doctor before you do.
You’ll usually be invited to a post-surgery appointment around six to eight weeks after your procedure. Your doctor will examine the hip and ask you questions about your recovery. You’ll also be able to ask any questions you have and any decisions about follow-up treatment will be made.
You’ll usually be invited to a post-surgery appointment around six to eight weeks after your procedure. Your doctor will examine the hip and ask you questions about your recovery. You’ll also be able to ask any questions you have and any decisions about follow-up treatment will be made.
Patient stories
How hip replacement changes after a decade: Eric’s story
Eric went from playing tennis frequently - and playing well - to barely being able to put his socks and shoes on in the morning.
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
“From the second I went in to the second I left it was like a finely tuned Swiss watch. I was up the next day, just like they’d said, moving about with just one crutch. I couldn’t believe it.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.