Can you explain what a hip labrum tear is?  

labral tear surgery in Hyderabad

Labral tear surgery Hyderabad

When someone tears the labrum of their hip, it means they have damaged the labrum, the cartilage in the hip socket. Your hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint that consists of a ball that rests on the femur (femoral head) and a socket that is part of the pelvis (acetabulum). The labrum helps keep the bones of the hip joint together and stable as you move. It also helps to hold the fluid together without friction.   The degree of hip labrum tears varies. Sometimes there are small tears or abrasions on the edge of the hip labrum.  This is usually caused by gradual wear and tear of the labrum. In other cases, part of the labrum of the hip joint may detach or be removed from the socket bone. This type of hip labrum injury is usually caused by trauma.   

Hip labral tears can occur due to many reasons, although they are more common in athletes who participate in vigorous physical activity.  Hip labral tears are commonly seen in women, as well as individuals with hip structure abnormalities such as hip dysplasia and other related medical conditions. Research indicates that up to 22% of athletes reporting groin pain are found to have hip labral tears.

What causes hip labrum tears?  

 Hip fractures can be caused by a number of factors, including

 Fractures: Conditions that impair hip movement can cause fractures. In femoral vein entrapment (FAI), the femoral head does not fit into the glenoid socket. This failure can lead to chronic hip pain and fatigue. This is usually caused by chapped hips. FAI can affect people every day. If left untreated, it can cause osteoporosis in some patients. 

Injury: A hip injury can cause a tear in the hip joint. This can happen in people who play repetitive, vigorous sports such as ice hockey, soccer, rugby, and golf. Degenerative health conditions: Osteoarthritis is the long (long) wear and tear of articular cartilage. As cartilage wears away gradually over time, it becomes more prone to tearing. Aging and obesity increase the risk of osteoarthritis. People with osteoarthritis often experience pain and stiffness in multiple joints, such as the hips and knees.

What are the symptoms of a labrum tear? 

A tear in the acetabular labrum can result in a range of symptoms. While some individuals may not experience any discomfort, others may encounter severe pain around the groin area that may extend to the upper leg or buttocks. Pain may appear abruptly or slowly over time, and turning the leg can be particularly uncomfortable.

Symptoms of a hip labrum tear include:  hip pain or stiffness; thigh or hip pain; hip pressed or locked when moving. Unstable feet when rotating the hip or when exercising or playing.

Acetabular labral tears may cause a sensation of the leg “catching” or “clicking” in the hip socket while in motion, and it may also feel like the leg is getting stuck or locked. Prolonged stress on the joint may lead to further degeneration and lasting damage.

It is also possible to develop an asymptomatic ischiatic labrum tear. 

How is hip labral tear diagnosed? 

To diagnose a hip labrum tear, your doctor will perform a physical exam. Your doctor may ask you to move your leg or walk around during the test. Your ability to move and any pain you experience while moving can help your doctor diagnose the condition.  Imaging tests can also help doctors diagnose hip tears. Your doctor may order the following tests: 

X-Ray: X-rays can alert your doctor to bone problems such as hip impingement or osteoporosis, which can cause labrum rupture and pain. 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test shows many things in Soft Tissue. An MRI can show the location and severity of the labral tear.

How is labral tear treated? 

A hip tear will not heal on its own, but rest and other measures can help manage the symptoms of a minor tear. 

Non-surgical treatments  

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can reduce pain. Injections: Doctors may inject drugs such as steroids into the hip joint to relieve symptoms.

Physical therapy: Specific physical therapy that stretches and strengthens muscles can help reduce pain. Physical therapy usually requires a doctor’s prescription. 

Hip Labral Tear Surgery in Hyderabad

If you have hip pain or have tried non-surgical options and still have pain, your doctor may recommend surgery. The most common surgery to repair hip pain is arthroscopic surgery.

Arthroscopic surgery

During this procedure, your orthopedic surgeon makes several small incisions to gain access to your hip joint. Using a special camera called an arthroscope, the surgeon can see the tear and repair it with surgical instruments. 

When a hip labrum tear is caused by hip compression, the surgeon adjusts the bones in the hip joint to glide smoothly. 

It is usually an outpatient procedure. This means you can leave the same day. After the hip labrum is repaired, people can resume normal activities, such as walking, almost immediately. The surgeon will refer you to a physical therapist who will begin exercises to restore joint strength. 

If your job is in the office, you will be back to work in a week or two after a hip repair surgery. If your job puts a lot of strain on your hips, you can work with your physical therapist to determine a safe return date, or discuss with your doctor about changes in where you’ll be working so you can return to work. For the best labral tear surgery in Hyderabad, visit Ortho Pro Clinic.