Your care path
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.
- 1
Recognize it
Common signs of hip labral tear:
- 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
- 2
Know when to act
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.
Sudden numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or inability to bear weight can be an emergency. Call 911.
- 3
See the right specialist
Hip Labral Tear is treated by a sports medicine surgeon. Describe your symptoms and we'll match you to the best-fit surgeons near you.
- 4
Understand your options
Treatments a surgeon may discuss:
Many people improve without surgery. Your surgeon will start there when it's an option.
- 4
Prepare & book
Bring the right questions and records so your visit counts. Our free tool builds you a personalized visit-prep sheet, then helps you book.
This is general guidance, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician. In an emergency, call 911.