Labral Tear

A labral tear of the hip is damage to the labrum, the cartilage located around the rim of the hip socket.

The labrum plays two important roles in the hip joint:

• Cartilage protection: The labrum acts as a bumper for the joint, helping to protect the femoral head cartilage from wear and tear.
• Joint stabilisation: The labrum functions as a suction cup that holds the femoral head in the hip socket, providing stability during movement.

The labrum is well innervated and can be a source of pain when damaged, especially after trauma such as a fall. Nevertheless, approximately 70% of people with a labral tear do not experience hip pain. Therefore, a labral tear does not always cause symptoms. Often, it is the inflammatory response around the tear that causes persistent pain. If this inflammation continues, the reduced protection and stability of the joint can lead to painful symptoms.

With a labral tear, pain may be experienced during:

• Deep bending movements of the hip
• Hip rotations
• High-impact sports, deep flexion movements, and changes of direction
• Walking
• Prolonged sitting
• Squatting
• Cycling on a racing bike
• …

Why does a labral tear hurt?

A labral tear is not always painful. It is possible to have a labral tear without experiencing symptoms, and sometimes the tear may have been present for a long time without causing hip issues. The muscles around the hip joint play an important role in relieving pressure on the labral tear, which prevents an inflammatory response. When these muscles function well, pain often does not occur.

However, if the muscle corset is not functioning optimally, for example due to weakness or imbalance, or if there is an increase in inflammation in the body (due to overuse or other health factors, for instance), this can irritate the labral tear. This can lead to an inflammatory response and ultimately hip pain.

With the right treatment and self-care measures, symptoms can often be well managed and an active quality of life maintained. Our own data shows that 84% of patients do not require surgery thanks to exercise therapy. If the discomfort persists, an injection may be given or surgery may be necessary.

Various surgical options are available for treating a labral tear, depending on the possible presence of osteoarthritis:

• Arthroscopy: repairing the labral tear via keyhole surgery
• Total hip arthroplasty (if there is also a severe form of osteoarthritis)

We will discuss with you which treatment option is most suitable based on your specific situation and needs.