The hip joint consists of the head of the femur (ball) and the acetabulum (socket) fitted together. Cartilage is necessary to keep the bones from rubbing together, lining the inside of the acetabulum. The ridge of cartilage on the rim of the acetabulum is called the hip joint labrum, and certain activities can result in hip labral tears. At DOCS Health, our orthopedic specialists offer advanced hip labral tear treatment at our medical center in Los Angeles.

The hip labrum is a combination of cartilage and connective tissue that runs along the rim of the acetabulum. The labrum provides a cushion between the ball and socket of the hip joint, reducing friction during movement. It also helps stabilize the joint by keeping the femur head in place. If the labrum is torn, it can result in hip joint instability and inflammation.

Causes and Symptoms of Hip Labral Tears

Trauma, injuries and wear/tear can all damage the labrum. Labral tears most commonly occur due to wear on the labrum over time, but they can also happen during an accident or sports injury. Hip labral tears can impact the function of the hip joint and result in a variety of symptoms, which include:

• Sharp pain in the groin, upper leg or buttock
• Hip pain when rotating the leg
• Clicking or catching sensation in hip when moving the leg
• Locking sensation in hip

Symptoms of a hip labral tear can come on suddenly with an injury, accident or slowly develop over time with wear and tear. Once the labrum is torn, it usually does not repair itself. Conservative treatments of rest, using NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, and physical therapy can help relieve pain. For more severe hip labral tears, treatment may include arthroscopic surgery to repair the tear.

If you have hip pain that may be due to a labral tear, contact us at DOCS Health in Los Angeles to schedule your hip pain exam and consultation. Our orthopedic surgeons can diagnose hip labral tears and recommend the best treatment option.