Hip Labral Tear

If you feel pain in the front of your hip, you may have a hip labral tear. Labral tears are common sports injuries that usually occur when changing direction quickly. It is more common when the athlete has hip dysplasia.

If you are suffering from a hip labral tear, you will undoubtedly want to look for solutions to reduce your pain and return to normal activities pain-free.

The expert orthopedic surgeons at OrthoNeuro can provide those solutions for you. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

This article will discuss what a hip labral tear is, its common symptoms, and the various treatment options.

What Is a Hip Labral Tear?

To understand what happens with a labral tear, you need to understand a little about the anatomy of the hip joint. 

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The “ball” part is the head of the femur or the thigh bone. The socket is made up of a bone called the acetabulum and a layer of fibrocartilage known as the hip labrum. This layer of fibrocartilage aids in the smooth movements of the hip joint and provides stability to the joint. 

If the ring of cartilage gets damaged, then the function of the hip joint becomes impaired. This is what we call a labrum tear. 

Although this type of injury may occur during sports or other activities, the most common cause of a labral tear is femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), or what is commonly known as hip impingement.

This is when the femoral head develops tiny spurs or bone growths that prevent smooth movements within the joint. These growths can then tear the labrum and damage the cartilage. Other causes of a labral tear can include osteoarthritis.

What Are the Symptoms of a Hip Labral Tear?

The only sure way to diagnose a labral tear is to have it checked out by a trained orthopedist. However, you may want to have it checked out if you are feeling pain in the front of your hip.

This is by far the most common symptom of a hip labral tear. Other hip labral tear symptoms may include joint pain and stiffness.

The orthopedic surgeons at OrthoNeuro may perform a variety of diagnostic tests to detect a labral tear.

To begin, they will perform a physical examination. Next, they will move your leg through a series of movements to test your strength and range of motion throughout the joint.

They will also listen out for any popping sounds. The surgeons may also use imaging tests such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify underlying causes.

What Treatments Are There for Hip Labral Tears?

The only way to fix a labral tear is through surgery. This is because the cartilage in the joint will not heal on its own. However, some non-surgical treatment options can help you to manage a labral tear.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Non-surgical treatments are designed to minimize symptoms and help you continue with everyday activities.

Surgical Treatment 

If non-surgical options are not sufficient to provide relief, then surgical treatment can be used to treat labral tears.

At OrthoNeuro, the surgeons use minimally invasive surgical procedures. This will give their patients a faster recovery time and less postoperative pain.

At OrthoNeuro, we offer the most advanced care and treatment plans for all hip conditions, including osteoarthritis.

One of our top priorities is to educate you on the details of your hip condition, addressing all questions and concerns you have. Call now for your appointment or book online.

Make an Appointment with an OrthoNeuro Hip Specialist Today!

If you have symptoms of a hip labral tear, schedule an appointment with one of our Board Certified Orthopedic Hip Specialists at one of our 7 convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus. 

We will evaluate your unique lifestyle and goals to determine which type of treatment is best for you. Best of all, most patients can be seen within 24 hours of making an appointment.