Labral hip tear

Need to know

• What are the symptoms of labral hip tear? icon plus

  The most common symptom of a labral tear is a pain in the groin. This 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 a feeling that it it's either locking up or giving way.

  Labral tears are usually caused by trauma, such as a car accident, falling awkwardly or repetitive rotational movements such as dancing.

  Hip bone deformities may also tear the labrum such as a femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), a condition where extra bone grows along the bones that form the hip joint. This means the hip bone and joint no longer fit properly and can tear the labrum.

   

• How is a labral hip tear diagnosed? icon plus

  Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you to help make a diagnosis. They will ask about the injury and repetitive movements such as sport, which may have strained the hip. If they think you may have a labral tear, they may refer you for some imaging. An MRI scan is the most effective way to diagnose a labral tear as it shows your soft tissues.

  Occasionally, dye is injected into the joint so your consultant can see any labral tears more clearly, although with modern MRI this is now rarely necessary. An X-ray may also help rule out hip dysplasia and FAI.

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  In many cases, the pain from labral tears can be managed with rest, physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory medicine.

  If sporting activity caused the tear, you may need to stop for a while to avoid further damage. If this doesn't work, your consultant may suggest surgery. Here, the labrum can be repaired or debrided (stripped down to healthy tissue) using an arthroscopy (a small camera). They'll recommend a period of rehabilitation so that the joint is fully recovered and a graduated return to activity. Athletes, such as dancers and footballers, should return to their sport after six months or so.