A Common Cause of Hip Pain You Shouldn't Ignore: Hip Labrum Tears

When hip pain starts interfering with how you walk, sit, exercise, or even sleep, it can take a toll on your overall quality of life. If you are suddenly experiencing pain and don’t have a history of other hip conditions, you could have a hip labrum tear.

To help you learn more, we asked our expert, Dr. Thomas Kane III, to explain how hip labrum tears cause pain and what can be done about them.

Understanding labrum tears

The hip labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip socket and helps cushion and stabilize the joint. A labral tear occurs when this cartilage becomes damaged or detached, leading to pain, limited movement, and a feeling of instability.  It is very similar to the meniscus in the knee.

Most labrum tears appear due to trauma. Some may develop tears due to repetitive twisting motions or activities that put pressure on the hip, such as the twisting motion during golf. Others may have congenital issues, in which the bones of the hip do not fit together perfectly, which can also increase the risk of tearing the labrum.

In other cases, natural wear and tear from aging or arthritis may also weaken the cartilage over time.

There are several types of labrum tears. Each type may cause different symptoms depending on the severity of the tear and its location.

What your pain might be telling you about your hip

Different hip conditions create different patterns of pain, and recognizing these patterns can help you understand what is happening inside your joint.

Arthritis pain is often described as a dull ache that worsens gradually. Many patients feel stiff in the morning or after sitting, with symptoms improving slightly as they begin to move.
Labrum tear pain tends to feel sharper and more specific. Patients often report:

• A catching, clicking, or locking sensation
• Sharp pain during twisting, pivoting, or squatting
• Discomfort deep in the groin
• Pain that returns quickly once activity resumes

The severity of the pain can also offer clues. Mild tears may only cause occasional discomfort. 

Moderate tears can lead to difficulty walking or standing from a chair. More advanced tears may cause limited mobility.  (TAKE OUT ”PERSISTENT INSTABILITY”)

Mild tears can’t heal on their own, and moderate and advanced tears need to be evaluated and repaired, as ignoring them can lead to chronic pain and worsening joint damage.

Treating your labrum tears

The first step in treating a labrum tear is a physical exam to assess your movement, followed by imaging to identify the source of your pain.  A specialized type of MRI is often utilized.

Treatment depends on the severity of the tear. Conservative care may include activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and injections to reduce pain and inflammation.  However, these modalities cannot “heal” the labrum tear, since the labrum has no blood supply.

For more advanced tears, arthroscopic surgery may be recommended to repair or remove the damaged tissue. With this type of surgery, usually only 2 small incisions, less than ½ inch long are needed.

Dr. Kane, in 1995, was the second surgeon in the U.S. to arthroscopically treat labrum tears.  His experience in this specific type of surgical treatment is extensive.

If you’re experiencing hip pain that isn’t improving, contact us to schedule an appointment at our office in Honolulu, Hawaii, to find out what’s causing your symptoms and the best path to recovery.