Hip Labral Tears
What is the Hip Labrum?
The hip (Acetabular) labrum is a fibro-cartilaginous structure, which covers the circumference of the acetabulum (Socket of the hip joint).
Functions of the Hip Labrum:
Provides stability to the hip joint
Acts as a lubricant in the joint
Works as a shock absorber
Assists with load distribution
Promotes proprioception (The sense of body movement, force and body position) in the hip
Labral Tears:
Anterior Labral Tears:
Pain in the groin
Pain in the buttock
Common in European countries & United states
Posterior Labral Tears:
Common in individuals from Japan
Associated with Pivoting movements
Associated with long standing practice (Sitting, Squatting on the floor)
Causes & Risk Factors:
Labral tears are not age related; any age group can get it, Though the aged population can be more symptomatic than younger.
Women are affected more than men.
Major trauma like, Motor vehicle accidents
Slip and fall with or without hip dislocation
Sports which involve frequent hip external rotations and hyperextension like Running, soccer, Hockey
Repetitive torsional or twisting movements of hip joint
According to few studies, Labral tears are associated with degenerative conditions of hip joint like, cartilage damage, secondary Osteoarthritis.
Signs and Symptoms:
Mostly pain in the groin, in some cases pain in buttock region
Constant dull pain with periods of sharp pain with certain movements
Nighttime pain
Pain aggravating with walking, prolonged sitting and pivoting
Clicking, locking or giving away
Pain in end-ranges of hip range of motions
Assessment/Investigations:
If you are having similar signs and symptoms in your hip joint, please book an assessment with us. Our physiotherapists are trained to diagnose this condition with thorough subjective and objective assessment.
If you are having severe pain with similar signs and symptoms mentioned above, please refer to your doctor. Doctors can prescribe you with radiological tests like, X-RAY, Ultrasound, MRI – which can help to diagnose and to know the severity of the labral tear.
In the cases of big labral tears, one might need to go under certain surgical procedures. Following that physiotherapy treatment is indeed for rehab.
Physiotherapy Treatment for Hip Labral Tears (Conservative/post-surgical) can Include:
Manual therapy: Joint mobilization, soft tissue release
Static posture correction
Education, activity modifications
Personalized exercise program: 4 Phases post-surgical treatment with return to activities or return to sports rehab
Pain management protocol: Electrotherapy, Dry Needling, Acupuncture
Home Exercise Program
Self-management:
Home exercises and lifestyle changes can possibly slow down the progression of condition and symptoms. Incorporating following suggestions can improve the outcomes and manage the symptoms.
Hip and pelvis muscles strengthening
Postural correction exercises
Activity Modifications
Maintain cardio-vascular strength via Cycling
Conclusion:
Hip labral tears are common but frequently go undiagnosed due to being asymptomatic at younger age. These are mostly associated with other hip pathologies like, OA, Femoro-acetabular impingement and Dysplasia. Our posture, activity level, sports, lumbo-pelvic stability, and motor control of the lower body can contribute to the level of symptoms.
Evidence shows that Physiotherapy is still first line conservative treatment for hip labral tears and can improve symptoms and reduce chances of surgeries.
Written By: Anjali Patel
REFERENCES:
Hip labral disorders. Physiopedia. (n.d.). https://www.physio-pedia.com/Hip_Labral_Disorders
What does a hip labral tear feel like?. Cleveland Clinic. (2025, June 2). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17756-hip-labral-tear
