FAQs About Torn Hip Labrum Injuries

Get Your Information from the Experts on What to Expect from a Labrum Tear

As an athlete, you depend heavily upon your hips for support and mobility. However, an injury to the hip joint can do much more than just slow you down on the field. Hip injuries can greatly inhibit your everyday, routine activities (let alone high-impact athletics).

With that in mind, it’s no surprise that patients who have experienced a torn hip labrum have questions about treatment and recovery. At Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, we understand that full awareness about the nature of your injury is the first step towards restoring your hip.

It is for this reason that our hip specialists have compiled this overview of answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about hip labrum tears and how to treat a torn labrum in the hip. We hope you find it helpful.

What Causes a Torn Hip Labrum?

A torn hip labrum is a common injury among athletes. But what exactly is the labrum—and what is the root cause of these injuries?

The labrum is a ring of cartilage around the socket of the hip joint. When healthy and functioning properly, this cartilage serves to secure the femoral head (top of the thigh bone) within the hip socket.

Labrum tears may occur in a number of ways. Most are not the result of an acute (or sudden) injury. Rather, the majority of these injuries occur over time as the consequence of a problem in the hip joint’s structure.

The most common condition which may cause such a tear is femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), or “impingement.” This condition causes high stress across the hip joint, placing the labrum at risk for injury. Though less common, an alternate condition which can cause similar results is hip dysplasia.

How Do You Treat a Labral Tear?

The first step in treating a labral tear is to determine the cause. As mentioned previously, labral tears are often the consequence of issues with the shape of the hip joint, though traumatic injuries may also be responsible in some cases. Knowing the primary cause will play a significant role in determining the best course of treatment.

Depending upon the cause and severity of the injury, there are a number of different treatment options available. Non-operative treatment options include:

• Physical therapy

• Activity modification

• Medication

In more severe cases, a surgical approach may be the advised option.

The most commonly prescribed surgical procedure for treating a torn hip labrum is a hip arthroscopy. Arthroscopies are surgical procedures which allow orthopaedic surgeons to insert miniature surgical instruments and a fiber-optic camera into a joint. The instruments are then used to repair the torn hip labrum while the camera visually renders the interior of the hip. This procedure is both highly effective and minimally invasive.

Where Can I Find Expert Hip Labrum Treatment?

If you or someone you love has experienced a torn labrum, it is important to seek a diagnosis from a qualified hip specialist. And, if your injury is associated with athletic activity, Sports Medicine expertise is essential. Hip specialists and Sports Medicine specialists can properly assess the extent of your injury and effectively discern the primary causes, ensuring the best treatment and recovery while accommodating your specific needs and goals.

At Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, you will find a team of top specialists working together to provide our patients the best possible care from the first visit through the last. Expert physicians at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute provide the advanced, effective treatment options torn hip labrum patients need in order to make a full recovery and return to normal activities.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999.