Hip Labral Tear
A hip labral tear is a tear in the labrum, the ring of cartilage that rims the hip socket and helps hold the joint together. Tears often develop in active people, frequently alongside hip impingement (FAI), where extra bone pinches the labrum during motion. Some tears cause no symptoms at all and are found incidentally on imaging.
Common symptoms
- Deep groin or front-of-hip pain, sometimes in the buttock
- Clicking, catching, or locking sensations in the hip
- Pain with prolonged sitting, pivoting, or getting out of a car
- Stiffness or reduced hip range of motion
When to see a specialist
If groin or hip pain persists for more than a few weeks or interferes with sport or daily life, an evaluation with imaging can identify a tear and any underlying impingement. First-line care is typically physical therapy, activity modification, and sometimes an injection, many people improve without surgery. Hip arthroscopy is generally considered when symptoms continue despite several months of conservative care.
Treatment options
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Common questions
- Does a hip labral tear always need surgery?
- No. Many people improve with physical therapy that strengthens the hip and adjusts movement patterns. Surgery is typically reserved for persistent symptoms, especially when impingement is also present.
- Will a labral tear heal on its own?
- The labrum has limited blood supply, so tears rarely knit back together, but symptoms often settle enough that surgery is unnecessary. Symptom relief, not tissue healing, is the usual goal of conservative care.
- What does hip arthroscopy involve for a labral tear?
- The surgeon repairs or tidies the labrum through small incisions and often reshapes impinging bone at the same time. Full recovery commonly takes three to six months.
This page provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified physician about your specific situation. Listings are not endorsements.