What is a Labral Tear?

An Overview

Here’s the answer to the question, “What is a labral tear?”. The labrum of the hip joint is cartilage that helps form the socket of the joint. It provides cushioning to the joint as well as acting like a seal to provide stability to the joint as the ball of the femur sits in the socket.  

Structural abnormalities with repetitive stress on the labrum can lead to labral tears as well as traumatic events without structural abnormalities. Sporting activities such as ice hockey, soccer, football, golf, gymnastics, and powerlifting can also lead to hip labral tears due to repetitive stress on the labrum.

Signs and Symptoms of Labral Tear

Below are the following signs and symptoms that you have a hip labral tear:

• Pain in the hip can radiate into the groin area and is often made worse by prolonged sitting, standing, or any repetitive activity involving hip flexion past 90 degrees.
• A locking, catching, or pinching sensation in the hip joint
• Decreased ROM or feeling of stiffness in the hip joint

Diagnosis

There are some special tests that a physical therapist or chiropractor can perform to indicate a labral tear but an MRI with contrast is needed to confirm a labral tear.

Prevention

In order to try and prevent a labral tear it is important to correct any dysfunction in soft tissue or joint restrictions through a home stretching and strengthening program.  You may need to see a physical therapist or chiropractor to assist in developing the best program for you.  As you increase the strength of the supporting muscles around the hip this can decrease stress on the labrum to decrease the risk of a tear.

Treatment of Labral Tear in Knoxville

Treatment can consist of physical therapy in Knoxville or chiropractic care to decrease inflammation in the joint address soft tissue or joint restrictions and develop a strengthening program to stabilize the joint. Knoxville Spine and Sports provides top-quality labral tear treatment and hip pain relief. 

Other useful modalities can include dry needling, Class IV laser, and cupping. If conservative treatment does not help the symptoms, surgery may be a necessary option to get back to your previous level of function.