A hip labral tear is one of the many causes of hip pain. The team of skilled practitioners at Texas Orthopaedic Associates in Dallas, Plano, Weatherford, Keller, and Fort Worth, Texas, specializes in diagnosing and treating hip labral tears, so you get the best outcomes. Is a hip labral tear causing your hip pain? Call Texas Orthopaedic Associates or schedule an appointment online at the office nearest you today.
HIP LABRAL TEAR Q&A
What is a hip labral tear?
A hip labral tear is an injury that affects the cartilage that lines the socket joint in the hip.
Your hip is a large weight-bearing joint that connects the ball joint of your upper leg and the socket joint in the pelvis. Both joints are covered in cartilage.
The acetabular labrum is an extra piece of cartilage that lines the rim of the socket joint. It acts as a seal that keeps the ball and socket joint in place and provides joint stability.
A labral tear affects the structure and function of your hip joint, causing joint instability.
What causes a hip labral tear?
Labral tears often occur from traumatic or overuse injuries. Athletes who engage in repetitive hip motions or high-impact sports are more likely to develop this type of injury.
You may also develop this type of hip condition if you have a hip impingement (imperfect fit of the ball and socket joint) or osteoarthritis in the hip (degeneration of the cartilage that occurs over time).
What does a hip labral tear feel like?
A hip labral tear causes pain in the hip. The type and location of your hip pain help the team at Texas Orthopaedic Associates determine the cause of your discomfort.
With a hip labral tear, you may feel pain in the groin or buttocks that worsens when you rotate your hip in certain directions. You may also hear a clicking sound in your hip when you move and feel a bit unsteady.
However, it’s possible to have a hip labral tear without any symptoms.
What are the treatments for a hip labral tear?
The team at Texas Orthopaedic Associates customizes treatments for hip labral tears based on the severity of the cartilage damage and your symptoms. A hip labral tear can’t heal on its own, but not all tears need surgery.
For a minor tear, the team may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), joint injections, and physical therapy to reduce pain.
However, if you continue to have symptoms or the tear is moderate to severe, the team may recommend hip arthroscopy to repair, reconstruct, or debride the acetabular labrum.
Call Texas Orthopaedic Associates today or request an appointment online to discuss your hip labral tear treatment options.