How to Identify a Hip Labrum Tear

A hip labrum tear occurs when the cartilage ring surrounding the outer edge of your hip socket is injured or torn. This cartilage acts like a shock absorber that supports smooth, stable movement of the hip ball and socket.

If you are experiencing pain or mobility issues in your hip and wonder what’s causing it, read on. Our expert, Dr. Thomas Kane III, explains who is more likely to get a labrum tear, what the signs are, and how you can solve the issue.

Who gets a hip labrum tear?

Anyone can experience a tear, but it is more common in people who engage in repetitive and high-impact movements involving the hip. Soccer players, golf players, and ballet dancers are at a higher risk of developing it.

People who are born with certain structural abnormalities in the hip joint may also face a greater risk of developing a labrum tear over time, for example, being born with a hip socket that doesn’t fully cover the top of the thigh bone, either because it’s too shallow or slightly misaligned.  A labrum tear may occur in middle-aged or older patients with minimal trauma, such as crouching down to a low cabinet or drawer.  The pain may not be immediate, often appearing a few days after the incident.

Signs of a labrum tear

Common signs of a labrum tear include:

• Sharp pain in the hip or groin worsened by specific movements
• A locking or clicking sensation in the hip
• Limited range of motion in the hip
  

If your symptoms don’t improve in a couple of weeks despite resting, it could be a sign that your body is unable to heal on its own, and you may need medical attention.

How a hip labrum tear is treated 

Once it appears, a labrum tear can’t heal on its own because while it does have a nerve supply (making you aware of pain), it doesn’t have enough blood supply to repair itself.

Not all tears require treatment, but if you are experiencing symptoms that don’t go away on their own despite rest and pain medications, minimally invasive surgery is usually recommended to repair the tear.

Dr. Kane uses arthroscopic surgery, which uses a camera to visualize inside the tissues and smaller tools. This, in turn, leads to less tissue damage, less bleeding, and a reduced risk of infection. Once the torn cartilage is resected, the reduction in pain is almost immediate.

Dr. Kane was the second orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. to pioneer the use of arthroscopic surgery to treat labrum tears in the hip.

Learn more about your symptoms

If you are experiencing unusual symptoms in your hip that don’t go away on their own, Dr. Kane can help identify the root cause of your discomfort using an MRI arthrogram—a specialized imaging technique that accurately assesses the condition of your labrum.

Take the first step toward a pain-free life by contacting us to schedule an appointment in our Honolulu, Hawaii office to get expert advice and a personalized treatment plan.