Hip Labrum

What is the hip labrum?

Your hip labrum is a piece of soft tissue and cartilage that covers your hip socket and allows for smooth movement of your hip joint when you walk, run, and exercise. Structural abnormalities, trauma, and degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis can lead to labrum tears. 

How do I know I have a hip labrum tear? 

If your hip labrum is torn, you can experience:

• Pain or stiffness in your hip
• Pain that extends in your groin or buttocks
• Clicking sound or locking sensation when you move your hip
• Feeling like your hip may give out

Not everyone with a hip labrum tear experiences symptoms, though Dr. Weber recommends an exam to rule out other possible causes of hip pain and determine your diagnosis if you’re experiencing any hip discomfort or stiffness. 

How are hip labrum tears diagnosed?

To diagnose the cause of your hip discomfort, Dr. Weber begins with a thorough consultation and physical exam. He asks about your symptoms, when they occur, and whether you have experienced an injury or trauma that triggered your symptoms.

Dr. Weber then examines your hip by pressing on the joint and surrounding muscles and moving your hip into different positions to check for stiffness, clicking, or locking. He measures your range of motion and muscle strength and may assess your lower back or knee if your symptoms point to other conditions in the surrounding areas.

If appropriate, Dr. Weber refers you for X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine your diagnosis and the severity of damage to your hip labrum. Imaging is needed to determine if your condition requires surgery to recover.

How are hip labrum injuries treated?

Many cases of hip labrum injuries resolve through conservative measures, like:

• Physical therapy
• Weight loss
• Activity modification
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
• Injections, including cortisone, platelet-rich plasma PRP, and viscosupplementation

If conservative care isn’t enough, or your hip labrum tear is causing severe discomfort or disability, Dr. Weber performs a minimally invasive surgery (arthroscopy) to remove the torn portion of your labrum. During your surgery, he carefully removes damaged tissue from your hip to smooth your labrum for greater comfort and mobility.

To determine if you have a hip labrum injury, call Alexander E Weber, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.