What is Labrum Tear?
A hip labrum tear is an injury to the labrum, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the outer rim of the acetabulum (the socket of the hip joint). The labrum helps stabilize the hip joint by deepening the socket, allowing the head of the femur (thigh bone) to move smoothly within it. It also helps with shock absorption and joint lubrication.
Types Of Labral Tears
Hip labral tears can occur in different regions of the labrum, each affecting the hip joint in distinct ways. The location of the tear often influences the symptoms experienced and the activities that may aggravate the condition. The two primary types of labral tears are anterior tears and posterior tears.
Understanding these variations can help identify the nature of the injury and determine the proper treatment approach.
Anterior tear: An anterior labral tear occurs in the front part of the hip joint. This is the most common type of hip labral tear, often associated with repetitive hip flexion and rotation, such as running or sports like soccer and hockey. Anterior tears can lead to pain in the front of the groin or hip area, especially during movement.
Posterior tear: A posterior labral tear occurs in the back part of the hip joint. Although less common than anterior tears, posterior tears are often associated with activities that involve sudden impact or twisting movements, such as football or gymnastics. This type of tear can cause discomfort or a catching sensation deep in the buttock or along the back of the hip.
Causes Of A Torn Hip Labrum
A torn hip labrum can result from various factors, from everyday activities to specific physical conditions. Understanding the underlying causes is essential to help prevent and manage this injury.
Below are some common causes that can lead to a torn hip labrum, each contributing to the breakdown of cartilage in different ways:
Structural issues
Conditions that cause abnormal hip movement can lead to hip labral tears. In femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), the head of the femur doesn’t fit into the socket properly, leading to long-lasting groin pain and movement limitations. FAI can affect individuals at any age and is a common cause of hip labrum tears. Without treatment, it may progress to osteoarthritis.
Trauma: Traumatic injuries, such as falls, car accidents, or direct impacts, can force the hip into unnatural positions, resulting in a labral tear. Athletes in contact sports like ice hockey, football, and soccer are at higher risk for such injuries.
Degenerative osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition involving joint cartilage degeneration. Cartilaginous structures such as the labrum erode over time, making them more prone to tearing. Advanced age and excess body weight can increase a person’s risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Repetitive motions: Repetitive twisting or rotational movements from activities such as running or soccer can gradually wear down the labrum, causing microtraumas that may lead to tears over time.
Symptoms
- Deep hip or groin pain
- Catching, locking, or clicking sensation in the hip
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Pain during twisting or pivoting movements
Treat HIP Labrum without Surgery
ORTHOReNEW - Regenexx-SD Injectate
Procedures using Regenexx-SD injectate include a patented protocol that utilizes Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC), which contains the patient’s own mesenchymal stem cells. The cell processing for a Regenexx-SD injectate routinely achieves 20x concentration— above what non-Regenexx cell processing can achieve.
ORTHOReNEW - Regenexx-SCP Injectate
Procedures using Regenexx-SCP injectate represent a supercharged version of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In this process, blood is drawn, then processed to isolate the platelets and growth factors. The growth factors are then purified, concentrated, and injected into the hip area using imaging guidance for precision. Regenexx-SCP injectate provides a higher concentration of growth factors than typical PRP procedures.