The hip joint is a ball and socket joint where the femur connects to the pelvis. The hip labrum, a smooth layer of cartilage, lines the socket and provides stability. Athletes who use repetitive motions are at risk of labral tears, which can cause pain and instability. Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, and surgery if necessary. Recovery can take up to six weeks. The long-term effects of labral tears are still being researched.
The hip is a ball and socket joint where the leg bone joins the pelvis. The femur, or thighbone, is ball-like at the end, and this ball fits into the pelvic bone, which is the socket. Within this joint, between the femur and pelvis, is a smooth layer of cartilage called the hip labrum. The hip lip is the lining on the socket that creates suction and stability within the hip joint, allowing for smooth motion for activities such as walking or running, any motion that requires hip rotation.
The hip labrum is very important for proper hip function. As the leg moves, it must rotate within the pelvic joint and the femur bone must be able to slide past the pelvic bone. If the labrum is injured, the hip cannot move easily, often resulting in instability, pain, and a clicking or locking sensation. Clicking and locking occurs when the lip, which is normally a very smooth surface, is worn away from repeated use or torn away from a sudden movement. Athletes such as runners, tennis players, and soccer players, who often use repetitive motions during exercise, are at a higher risk of overuse or sudden lip injury.
A hip labral tear is usually diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon. The doctor can test the movement of a patient’s hip to check for irregularities. If a labral tear is suspected, your doctor will likely order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to get clear images and information about the location and size of the lesion.
Treatment for lip tears includes rest from athletic activities, physical therapy to increase flexibility, and the use of anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation around the hip lip and hip joint. Patients who continue to experience pain or limited hip mobility may be referred for arthroscopic hip surgery. This surgery is typically done through two small incisions on the outside of the hip. An orthopedic surgeon uses special tools to clean and repair the injured area of the labrum of the hip.
Recovery from arthroscopic hip surgery can take up to six weeks and often includes physical therapy. Successful surgery can repair tears or worn areas on the lip, leaving the surface smooth. After recovery, a patient usually regains full range of motion in the hip, and the labrum of the hip normally remains intact. While there are some indications that lip tears can later lead to arthritis of the hip, there’s no firm evidence, and experts agree that more research into the long-term effects of lip tears is warranted.
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