Hip Labral Tear – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Scans to Look Inside the Hip
Doctors use different imaging tests to spot a labral tear or other injuries near the hip joint. X-rays show the bones and help doctors find arthritis, hip dysplasia, or changes in the femoral head and acetabulum.
These images check for structural problems or causes like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA), focuses on the soft tissues.
For this test, a special dye goes into the hip joint before taking images. This dye highlights tears in the labrum and other damage to cartilage.
Table: Common Imaging Tests
| Test Type | What It Shows | Why It’s Used |
|---|---|---|
| X-ray | Bone issues like arthritis, dysplasia, FAI | Check bone structure |
| MRI/MRA | Soft tissues, cartilage, labrum | Find labrum tears |
Using an Anesthetic to Find the Source
Sometimes, hip pain comes from other issues, not a torn labrum. A healthcare provider may inject a local anesthetic directly into the hip joint space.
If this shot relieves the pain, the source is likely inside the joint, such as a torn labrum or cartilage problem. If pain remains, the injury may be outside the hip joint.
This helps doctors learn more about the painโs origin and plan the next steps for care.
Treatment
Medicines
Doctors may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to ease pain and decrease swelling in the hip. Common choices include ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.
Sometimes, doctors give corticosteroid shots for stronger, short-term pain relief in the hip joint. These medicines help with symptoms but do not fix the tear.
Exercise and Physical Therapy
Physical therapists teach safe exercises to stretch the hip, build muscle strength, and improve movement. They also show patients which activities to avoid so the hip joint does not get worse.
Building strong hip and core muscles can stabilize the joint and reduce pain. Rest and changing activities, such as avoiding sports or heavy lifting, help the hip heal.
Surgery and Other Treatments
If rest and therapy do not improve symptoms, doctors may suggest surgery. Hip arthroscopy uses small tools and a camera to repair or remove the damaged part of the labrum.
The surgeon may stitch the torn tissue or trim it, depending on the injury. Some people may have complications after surgery, such as infection or nerve issues. Many people recover and return to sports in three to six months.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps You Can Take
Preparing for an appointment with an orthopedic specialist can help make the visit more effective.
Patients should:
- Write down their symptoms, including when they started.
- Note any previous health conditions.
- List activities that might be linked to hip pain.
- Bring a list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements with dosages.
- Prepare questions to ask the provider.
A simple table can help organize this information:
| What to Bring | Details |
|---|---|
| Symptom list | When and how pain started |
| Medical history | Previous problems, surgeries |
| Medications & supplements | Name and dosage |
| List of questions | Concerns about diagnosis, treatment, or daily life |
Questions Your Provider May Ask
Orthopedic or sports medicine doctors often ask a few key questions to understand your issue.
They might ask:
- Where does it hurt?
- What were you doing when the pain started?
They may also ask if anything helps or makes the pain worse.
