Common Signs of a Hip Labral Tear

The hip joint is a complex, ball-and-socket structure that supports much of our body’s movement and weight. At the heart of this joint lies the labrum—a ring of cartilage that lines the rim of the hip socket, stabilizing the hip bone and allowing smooth, pain-free motion. When this cartilage is injured, a hip labral tear may occur, leading to a range of uncomfortable and limiting symptoms. If you are experiencing hip pain or discomfort, Dr. Sileo’s Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine practice, is here for you.

What Is a Hip Labral Tear?

A hip labral tear is an injury to the labrum, the cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the hip joint socket. The labrum is a ring that seals the hip socket, ensuring the femoral head (the ball of the joint) moves fluidly.

There are multiple types of hip labral tears, often classified by their location (e.g., front of the hip, back of the hip, or around the hip joint) and severity of the tear. A tear can also occur due to wear and tear, injury to the labrum, or structural problems of the hip such as hip dysplasia or hip impingement.

Common Causes of Hip Labral Tears

  • Hip impingement (FAI): Abnormal contact between the hip bones increases stress on the labrum.

  • Hip dysplasia: A shallow socket puts the labrum under abnormal tension.

  • Repetitive motion or overuse: Common in athletes, dancers, and people with physically demanding jobs.

  • Trauma or injury: Sudden movements, falls, or dislocation of the hip joint.

  • Osteoarthritis of the hip: Joint degeneration can contribute to labral damage.

Understanding the hip labral tear causes can help patients and providers choose the best approach to hip preservation and healing.

What Does a Hip Labral Tear Feel Like?

People often describe a hip labral tear feel as:

  • A sharp or catching pain in the hip or groin

  • A locking or clicking sensation inside your hip joint

  • Pain in the front of the hip, especially when sitting or rotating the leg

  • Stiffness or limited range of motion

  • Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest

Because many labral tear symptoms overlap with other hip conditions, it’s essential to get an accurate diagnosis.

Person standing indoors, wearing a light blue shirt and dark pants, holding their right hip and lower back area with both hands, possibly indicating discomfort or pain.

How Are Hip Labral Tears Diagnosed?

To diagnose a hip labral tear, your doctor will:

  1. Ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical examination.

  2. Order imaging tests like an MRI, often with contrast (MRA), to visualize damage to the labrum.

  3. Consider diagnostic injections to confirm that the pain in the hip is related to a labral tear.

Labral tears are more common than many people think and often go undiagnosed until symptoms become disruptive.

Treatment Options for Hip Labral Tears

Treatment depends on the severity of the tear, your age, activity level, and underlying causes of hip labral tears.

Conservative Treatment Options

Initial hip labral tear treatment often includes:

  • Rest and activity modification

  • Anti-inflammatory medications

  • Physical therapy to strengthen muscles around the hip

  • Injections to reduce pain and inflammation

These nonsurgical treatments are suitable for many people, especially when the tear is minor or associated with early wear and tear.

Surgical Options

If conservative treatment fails, hip labral tear surgery may be recommended. The most common procedure is hip arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery where the surgeon can repair the torn labrum, remove damaged tissue, and address underlying causes like hip impingement.

Surgery to repair the torn labrum aims to restore joint stability and function while preserving the natural structure of the hip—a core goal of any hip preservation program.

A person in black leggings receives a physical examination of the hip or thigh area by a healthcare professional, highlighting Common Signs You Might Have a Hip Labral Tear. Michael J. Sileo, M.D. logo is visible.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Ignoring pain or other symptoms in the hip or groin can lead to worsening damage. A labral tear can make everyday movement painful and increase the risk for hip osteoarthritis or even require hip surgery in the future. People with hip labral tears who receive timely care have better outcomes and fewer complications.

Taking the Next Step Toward Hip Health

A hip labral tear is a serious condition, but with proper diagnosis and a tailored approach to hip preservation, most people can return to the activities they love. Whether you’re experiencing hip or groin pain, clicking or locking, or just suspect something is wrong inside your hip joint, it’s important to consult with a specialist.

At our practice, we focus on identifying the type of hip labral tear, understanding your unique hip labral tear symptoms, and developing the right hip labral tear treatment—from conservative care to advanced arthroscopic surgery.

About Dr. Michael J. Sileo

Dr. Sileo is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation and sports medicine. With extensive experience treating labral tears of the hip, he offers individualized care plans focused on returning patients to pain-free movement through state-of-the-art techniques and compassionate care.

If you believe you may have a torn hip labrum, don’t wait. Early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference. Contact Dr. Sileo’s office to request an appointment.

Woman in tan workout clothes performing a lunge stretch on a yoga mat in a bright room with large windows, an exercise often recommended for those recovering from a hip labral tear.