Hip Labral Tears: Diagnosis & Treatment in Adelaide

What Is the Hip Labrum?

The labrum is a ring of fibrocartilage that lines the rim of the hip socket (acetabulum). It deepens the socket, stabilises the hip joint, and distributes load evenly across the articular cartilage. It also creates a suction-seal effect that helps keep the femoral head centred in the socket.

Causes of Hip Labral Tears

Labral tears can occur as a result of:

• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) — abnormal bony contact between the ball and socket
• Trauma — a fall, sports injury or dislocation
• Repetitive hip movements — particularly in athletes such as dancers, hockey players and runners
• Hip dysplasia — shallow hip socket placing excess stress on the labrum

Symptoms

• Deep groin pain or anterior hip pain
• A catching, clicking or locking sensation with hip movement
• Pain with prolonged sitting or with hip flexion activities (stairs, squatting)
• Pain is often worse with sport and activity

Labral tears are most common in younger, active patients but can occur at any age.

Diagnosis

MRI arthrography (MRI with an intra-articular contrast injection) is the most sensitive imaging investigation for labral tears. A thorough clinical examination is also essential, including provocation tests such as the FADIR (flexion, adduction, internal rotation) test.

Treatment Options

Conservative management is always tried first: physiotherapy focusing on hip stabiliser strengthening, activity modification, and a guided return-to-sport program. A cortisone injection into the hip joint can provide diagnostic confirmation and temporary pain relief.

If symptoms persist despite a thorough physiotherapy program, hip arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) may be recommended. During arthroscopy, the torn labrum can be repaired (stitched back to the bone) or debrided (trimmed). Any associated bony impingement (CAM or Pincer lesion from FAI) is also addressed at the same time.

Recovery

After hip arthroscopy, patients are typically on crutches for 2–6 weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure. A structured physiotherapy-guided rehabilitation program follows. Most patients return to sport within 4–6 months.