Hip Labral Tear

A hip labral tear is damage to the ring of cartilage (labrum) that surrounds the hip joint socket.

Hip Labral Tear at a Glance

A hip labral tear damages the cartilage that seals in joint fluid and helps stabilize the hip joint. A torn hip labrum may cause pain, stiffness or difficulty moving the hip--or no symptoms at all.

Common causes: Repetitive movements, sports injuries, dislocations, impingement, dysplasia and degenerative changes associated with osteoarthritis.
Common symptoms: Hip or groin pain, clicking, catching, locking and reduced range of motion.
Diagnosis: Physical examination and imaging tests, such as MRI.
Treatment options: Activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, injections or arthroscopic surgery, depending on symptoms and underlying joint problems.

What Is a Hip Labral Tear?

The hip labrum is like a rubber gasket around the hip socket that seals in joint fluid, cushions the joint and helps stabilize the thighbone during movement. A torn hip labrum can compromise the seal and affect joint stability, causing pain or mechanical symptoms such as clicking and catching. Hip labral tears may result from a sudden injury or develop gradually through repeated stress on the joint.

Common Hip Labral Tear Symptoms

Often, hip labral tears are asymptomatic and are discovered only during imaging for another hip condition. When symptoms occur, they may include:

Hip or groin pain, sometimes extending into the thigh or buttock
Clicking, catching or locking sensations in the joint
Stiffness or reduced range of motion, especially when bending or rotating the hip
Pain that worsens with activity, prolonged standing, sitting or walking

How Is a Hip Labral Tear Diagnosed?

A torn hip labrum is diagnosed through a review of your symptoms and medical history, a physical examination and imaging tests. Your doctor may use X-rays to identify structural abnormalities that contribute to the damage and an MRI to detect the labral tear. In some cases, an MRI with contrast dye (MR arthrography) provides a clearer view of the tear.

Find an Orthopedic Surgeon

When to See a Doctor for a Hip Labral Tear

See a doctor if hip pain, stiffness or limited mobility persists for several weeks, worsens or interferes with everyday activities. The board-certified, fellowship-trained hip specialists at Hoag Orthopedic Institute provide expert diagnosis and personalized hip care treatment to relieve hip labral tear pain and restore mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Activities that involve repeated twisting, pivoting or deep bending of the hip, such as running, dancing, squatting or playing sports can aggravate a hip labral tear. Prolonged sitting or standing may also increase discomfort. Activities that worsen symptoms vary depending on the location of the tear and any underlying hip conditions.
Hip labral tear pain is most commonly felt in the groin or front of the hip, although it can also extend into the thigh, buttock or outer hip. Some people experience a deep pain inside the joint that is difficult to pinpoint, rather than discomfort in one specific spot.
No, a torn hip labrum cannot heal on its own because the cartilage has a limited blood supply. However, the symptoms can improve or disappear with nonsurgical treatment, including activity modification, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. Many people can return to normal activities without surgery, even though the labral tear remains.
A torn hip labrum may cause no symptoms at all. When symptoms occur, they often include a deep ache or sharp pain in the hip or groin, sometimes radiating into the thigh or buttock. You may feel as though your hip is giving way or experience clicking, catching or locking sensations when moving it, along with stiffness or restricted movement.