Labral Tear

The hip joint consists of the femur and acetabulum (part of the pelvis). In between these two bones is articular cartilage. A ring of strong cartilage known as the labrum encircles the acetabulum and functions to keep the femur in the acetabulum, and to ensure smooth and painless motion when we walk and bear weight by preventing bone on bone contact. Labral tears can happen gradually over the course of time and this is most commonly seen in elderly populations. Labral tears can also happen in younger populations and this is typically due to high impact trauma. Symptoms of labral tears can include pain within the hip joint, the groin, or the glute that is especially present when weight bearing or trying to sleep. Individuals may also report a catching or locking sensation within the hip. In physical therapy we work on improving the mobility of the hip joint , stretching the muscles around the hip joint to keep it moving well, and then strengthening the muscles around the hip joint to alleviate pressure on the joint. These techniques work to reduce pain levels in the hip. Please see below for photos of examples of how treat labral tears in our clinic. If you would like to schedule an appointment please reach out to us.