Hip Labral Tears Treated in Arlington, VA

Female runner experiencing pain in her hip

A frequent cause of non-arthritic hip pain, a hip labral tear is an injury that affects the labrum, a rim of cartilage that surrounds the hip joint socket. The labrum deepens the hip socket, making it more stable. It also serves as a cushioning seal that holds the top of the thigh bone (femur) firmly in place.

Labral tears often result from direct trauma to the hip joint. Athletes who play contact sports such as football, soccer and hockey are particularly susceptible, as are those who play sports that involve repetitive twisting and pivoting of the hip joint, such as golf and softball. The latter activities can create cumulative wear and tear on the hip joint that eventually causes the labrum to tear.

If you think you might have a hip labral tear, you can see an experienced hip specialist at Nirschl Orthopaedic Center (NOC) in Arlington, Virginia. Our outstanding team includes board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons who specialize in treating complex hip conditions, including arthritis, hip dysplasia, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and hip labral tears. Our hip specialists are Farshad Adib, MD, Derek H. Ochiai, MD and Clay Wellborn, MD.

What Does a Hip Labral Tear Feel Like?

While a torn labrum may not produce any symptoms, it can potentially cause:

  • Pain at the front of the hip near the groin
  • Pain behind or at the side of the hip joint
  • Pain that radiates from the hip through the thigh
  • Stiffness or limited range of motion in the hip
  • A locking, clicking or catching sensation in the hip joint, especially when standing up after prolonged sitting

How Is a Hip Labral Tear Treated?

A torn labrum will not heal on its own, but mild symptoms can often be managed with rest and other non-surgical therapies such as:

  • Activity modifications – It is important to avoid body positions and movements that cause or contribute to the pain.
  • Physical therapy – A physician or physical therapist can suggest an exercise program to stretch and strengthen the muscles that support the hip joint.
  • Medications – Over-the-counter pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve painful inflammation.
  • Cortisone injections – Guided by real-time imaging, a physician can inject a powerful anti-inflammatory medication precisely into the painful area of the hip.

To address severe or persistent symptoms, surgery may be considered to repair or reconstruct damaged labral tissue or remove (debride) a small piece of the labrum.

The orthopedic specialists at NOC offer a full range of conservative and surgical treatment options for hip labral tears. For patients who elect surgical treatment, our experienced surgeons perform arthroscopic hip surgeries and hip resurfacing procedures as well as total and partial hip replacements.

If you would like to learn more about hip labral tears, contact Nirschl Orthopaedic Center at (703) 525-2200 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Adib, Dr. Ochiai or Dr. Wellborn in Arlington, VA.