Hip Labral Tear Surgery in Dallas & Frisco, TX
Labral Tear of the Hip, Anterior Labral Tear, Posterior Labral Tear
Hip labral tears are common injuries that often result in groin and hip pain. They also tend to cause instability or locking in the hips, depending on the severity of the injury. Whether you sustained this injury playing sports or through other means, it’s important to consult with a Dallas orthopedic doctor. They will diagnose you through a hip labral tear test and recommend the best treatment plan for you. Even if hip labral tear surgery occurs, we provide only the best care.
At SPORT Orthopedics and Physical Therapy, we diagnose, treat, and manage all sorts of sports injuries and conditions. We offer a wide variety of treatment types, as well as physical therapy in Dallas. For more information about how we can help you, please call our office at 469-200-2832 or fill out our online intake form.
What Is a Labral Tear of the Hip?
Labral tears of the hip involve the ring of cartilage, or labrum, which forms around the outside of your hip joint socket. The labrum serves not only to cushion the joint, but also to act as a seal. It holds the ball at the top of your femur securely into the hip socket. Many times, athletes in certain sports, including football, golf, soccer, and even ballet experience these injuries. However, those with structural deformities or issues can experience a hip labral tear.
Types of Hip Labral Tears
- Anterior labral tear: These are the more common of the two. Hip joint stress, such as repetitive pivoting, and inadequate vascular supply to the hip joint are two variables that contribute to the development of anterior tears. According to studies, this part of the labrum lacks blood arteries, making it more vulnerable to damage.
- Posterior labral tear: These are less common than anterior tears. Doctors associate them with movements like squatting, which put stress on the back of the hip joint.
What Causes a Labral Tear in the Hip?
A multitude of possible causes for labrum tears exist. Below, we list the most common causes.
- Repetitive movements that, over time, result in wear and tear of the hip joint.
- Traumatic injuries to the area, such as those sustained in athletes who play hockey, soccer, or football.
- Conditions such as hip impingement, which involves abnormal proximity between the hip’s ball and socket. This is usually due to a deformity in the area.
- Osteoarthritis in the hip, which is degenerative cartilage in the area. This often leads to rough contact between the bones in the hip.
What Does a Hip Labral Tear Feel Like?
For many individuals, labral tear damage causes excruciating hip pain that originates deep inside the joint. During hip-intensive exercises, this deep hip discomfort may extend into the groin or buttocks for certain people. It may also be accompanied by significant joint stiffness, making it difficult to move properly or sleep comfortably during the night.
When walking, jogging, or twisting the leg of the afflicted hip joint, some patients report a locking or catching sensation in their hip, which may be accompanied by an audible clicking or cracking sound. A hip joint that locks or catches might make you feel unsteady on your feet, in addition to being unpleasant.
Labral tear discomfort normally worsens as your activity level rises, and it usually goes away after a long period of rest. Because no amount of rest can entirely cure a labral tear, the pain will return as soon as you resume your regular routine and level of exercise.
Symptoms of a Hip Labral Tear
Many hip labral injuries have no symptoms or indications. However, some have one or more of the symptoms listed below.
- Pain in the groin or hip, usually worsening with long periods of sitting, standing, or walking
- Clicking, locking, or catching feelings in the hip joint
- Limited range of motion or stiffness in the affected joint
How to Diagnose a Hip Labral Tear
A doctor will enquire about the patient’s medical history and physical activity, as well as do a physical examination, which will include specialized orthopedic tests to identify whether or not a hip labral tear exists. Imaging tests will also help a doctor determine whether or not hip labral tear surgery is necessary.
- Medical history: The patient should be ready to provide the doctor a detailed account of their symptoms, including when they first appeared, what motions cause discomfort, and where the pain is situated, as well as any previous injuries or operations.
- Physical examination: During a physical exam, the doctor will assess the strength and range of motion of the hip joint, as well as look for symptoms like edema and redness. The doctor would also try to elicit the pain that the patient feels in everyday activities. The FABER test is a popular hip labral tear test.
Hip Labral Tear Test
The FABER test attempts to replicate pain in the hip, lumbar spine, or sacroiliac region in order to detect the existence of hip disease. The test is a passive screening technique for musculoskeletal disorders including hip, lumbar spine, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction, as well as an iliopsoas spasm.
Because forces are transmitted via the joint, the test also evaluates the hip. If the femoral-acetabular joint is inflamed, the positions of flexion, abduction, and external rotation, when coupled with overpressure, stress the joint and cause discomfort.
When used with other types of diagnostic tests, the hip labral tear test is very useful for medical professionals. The FABER test usually allows doctors to determine when imaging tests are necessary.
The FABER test is quite helpful in detecting those who have sacroiliac joint problems. As the horizontal abduction force passes through the femur, the stresses are transferred to the sacroiliac joint via the soft tissues under strain. As a result, this examination can reveal disease in the hip or sacroiliac joint.
How Is a Hip Labral Tear Treated?
Treatment is determined on the severity of your symptoms. Some patients recover in a matter of weeks with conservative therapy. Others will require arthroscopic hip labral tear surgery to fix or remove the torn labrum.
Non-Surgical Options
- Medication: Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, for example, are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications that help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. An injection of corticosteroids into the joint can also temporarily relieve pain.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can give you exercises to improve hip range of motion, hip strength, and core stability. Therapists can also educate you on how to prevent movements that put your hip joint under stress.
Hip Labral Tear Surgery
If non-surgical therapies fail to relieve your symptoms, your doctor may suggest arthroscopic surgery. This is a technique in which the surgeon uses small incisions in your skin to introduce a fiber-optic camera and surgical instruments.
The surgeon may remove the torn section of labrum or repair the damaged tissue by stitching it back together, depending on the reason and severity of the injury.
Infection, hemorrhage, nerve damage, and recurring symptoms are all possible complications of surgery if the repair does not heal properly. It might take weeks or months to get back into sports.
Hip Labral Tear Exercises
Pain alleviation, training your body to move differently, and muscle strengthening are all part of physical therapy for hip labral tears. The hip labral tear exercises shown below are beneficial.
- Side steps with resistance bands: A resistance band on your legs is essential in hip labral tear exercises. They help strengthen the outer hip muscles. For 15-20 reps, pull your stomach in and practice leading with your right leg as you go forward, then sideways. Rep with your left leg in front.
- Side planks: This ab workout strengthens your hips as well. Begin by laying on your side with your forearm on the floor and stacking your legs on top of each other. By pushing your forearm up, you can now elevate your hip off the floor.
- Deadlift with single leg: The strength of your hip muscles can be improved by performing 10 repetitions of a single-leg deadlift. Begin with your legs hip-length apart, then bring one leg and your chest to a parallel position with the floor. This hip labral tear therapy might also include weights.
- Bridge: Physical treatment for a hip labral injury also includes a simple bridge exercise. Lift your butt while you contract your stomach muscles while lying on your back with your legs at a 90-degree angle to the floor.
- Dead bug: Lie down on your back, arms and feet in the air, with your legs bent at a 90-degree angle. Slowly lower and extend your right leg while lowering your left arm at the same time. Repeat on the opposing side, holding for a second before returning to the beginning position.
What Is the Outlook for Someone Who Has a Labral Tear in the Hip?
The extent to which a person recovers from a hip labral tear is determined by the nature of the injury and how the doctor chooses to treat it.
- Conservative treatment: Anti-inflammatory medicines and physical therapy are not permanently effective in treating the tear. They can help relieve discomfort and provide a viable solution for small tears. Some patients will require more therapy in the future.
- Surgery: Hip arthroscopy can often alleviate discomfort and restore hip function after a labral rupture. Many patients are able to return to their prior sports interests and physical activity within 4 to 6 months following surgery.
- Osteoarthritis: To avoid more severe symptoms, chronic diseases like osteoarthritis must be treated by a doctor.
When to Call a Doctor for a Hip Labral Tear
While most hip and joint pain isn’t life-threatening, it may have a major impact on how you live. Any hip or groin discomfort that persists beyond a few days should be seen by a medical professional. Call your doctor right away if you develop sudden or severe hip or groin pain.
Contact SPORT Orthopedics and Physical Therapy Today
At SPORT Orthopedics and Physical Therapy, we serve the Dallas and Frisco areas with extensive experience under our belts. Whether you need rotator cuff repair surgery or physical therapy, we’ve got you covered. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with us, please call our office at 469-200-2832 or fill out our online intake form today.
