What is Hip Labral Tear?

A rim of fibrocartilage or soft tissue that surrounds the hip socket (acetabulum) is called the labrum. The labrum functions as the protector of the joint surface and adds the stability of the hip. Injury and normal wear and tear can tear the labrum from its attachment. This may result is catching, clicking, and pain.

What are the causes?

Labral tear can be caused due to various reasons. Falls, deep sports injuries and other traumatic incidents may cause the labrum to tear. However, majority of labral tear cases happen due to indirect causes. Osteoarthritis may also cause labral tear.

What are the symptoms?

Pain may not be there in certain cases of labral tear. Still, pain is one of the most common symptoms of labral tear. Pain can be felt in the areas like the groin, in the buttck region, and over the lateral hip. A feeling of leg “catching” or “clicking” can be there in the hip socket when making any movements. Some people may feel like giving away within the hip.

How Labral Tear is Diagnosed?

The first step of diagnosis is analysing the symptoms and signs. A specific diagnosis can be made only through an MRI or MRA. Usually for hip labral tear, a specialised MRI or MRA is suggested. The specialized MRI is also known as an MRI arthrogram. X-rays are also suggested to evaluate the structure of the hip. In certain patients with hip labral tear, the bony structure of the hip may seem abnormal.

What are the treatments available?

Treatment for the labral tear may vary according to the severity of the condition. If the patient is diagnosed with a labral tear, she/he should seek medical help from a sports medicine physician who has been expertise in hip arthroscopy and labral tears treatment. Hip arthroscopy is the minimally invasive technique to treat hip labral tear. The treatment option may vary according to the age of the patient and severity of the condition.

Nonsurgical Treatments:

Physical therapy is the most suggested nonsurgical treatment option for hip labral tear. The doctor may also suggest activities and methods that can improve the function of hip joints.

Surgical Treatments:

The main surgical treatment for hip labral tear is arthroscopy. The doctor will insert an arthroscope inside the joint. Then, he/she will trim the torn tissue around the hip joint. This procedure of removing the torn tissue is called ‘labral refixation’. If labral refixation is not useful, the doctor may suggest labral debridement. In this procedure, the torn labrum is simply removed.

Complications and recovery

Nonsurgical treatments rarely cause complications. Normal functioning can be restored after a few weeks of treatment.Like any other surgery, surgery for hip labral tear also has certain risks and complications involved. Comparatively, risks are minimal for arthroscopic surgery than open surgery. Some of the possible risks are the following:

Nerve damage
Infection
Blood clots
Bleeding

Recovery is faster if follow-ups are done in the right way.

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