Warm Up and Stretch to Prevent a Hip Labrum Tear

Learn about prevention and treatment for hip labrum tears.

Athletes train intensely for peak performance. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of athletics. Injuries to the hip and groin are common in contact and pivoting/cutting/twisting sports. Most acute injuries involve a strain of structures around the hip and will resolve with time and proper rehabilitation.  Some injuries do not resolve and require further treatment. Common causes of hip & groin pain in athletes include labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).

If you or someone you love is at risk for a hip labrum tear, consider the following guidance from the experts at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute for preventive and treatment measures.

Hip Labrum Tears Defined

The hip is a ball-in-socket joint. The labrum is a pad of fibrocartilage that is attached to the acetabulum (cup) and surrounds the femoral head (ball). The labrum acts as a stabilizer of the hip joint and increases the congruency of the joint. Basically, it acts like a gasket around the ball.

A hip labrum tear (also known as a hip labral tear) occurs in the ring of stabilizing cartilage (labrum) that lines the outside rim the hip joint’s socket. The rounded head of the thigh bone (femur) fits into the hip bone socket (acetabulum) and is held together by the labrum and other soft tissues. Damage to the labrum may take place either over time or from an injury.

Causes

The most common cause for a hip labral tear is FAI, or a problem with the shape of the hip. Hip labral tears are usually the result of repetitive movement, a common risk especially for athletes. Athletic endeavors pose risk to the body year-round, but winter sports tend to take place in slippery or dangerous conditions, making safety a top priority. Contact sports like soccer, football or ice hockey and sudden twisting motions of the hip such as in skiing or golf make participants more susceptible to hip labrum tears. In patients with FAI, there are increased contact pressures on the labrum that make it susceptible to a tear.

Athletes who participate in such sports as ice hockey, soccer, football, golf, and ballet are at higher risk of sustaining injury that results in a hip labral tear.

Signs and Symptoms

What does a hip labral tear feel like?

• Pain deep in the front of the hip or groin area

• Pain that worsens with sitting, standing, walking, or increased activity

• Painful loss of range of motion

• Locking or catching in the hip joint with movement

Hip labral tears left untreated may result in altered gait and subsequent knee, back, and/or neck issues.

Prevention

Since hip labrum tears are often associated with sports participation, one of the few and best methods of prevention is proper stretching, warm-up, and strengthening of the surrounding muscles. Incorporate the following into your regular routine:

• Side-leg raises, donkey kicks, and squats to help strengthen the muscles that support the hip joint

• Yoga exercises to stretch and gently condition your lower body

• Training with a professional to ensure optimum form when performing your sport

• Avoiding placing your your full body weight on your hip when legs are positioned at the extremes of your normal range of motion.

Treatment

If you do sustain a hip labrum tear, treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms. Your physician may recommend:

• Medications – Over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

• Injections – Pain may also be managed temporarily with an injection of corticosteroids into the joint.

• Physical Therapy – Physical therapy can help maximize range of motion and hip strength and stability.

• Surgery – If conservative treatments don't relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend arthroscopic surgery. Depending on the cause and extent of the tear, the surgeon may be able to remove the torn piece of labrum or repair the tissue.

The first step for anyone experiencing symptoms of hip labrum tears should be to consult their physicians. When you need more specialized treatment, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute can help you decide which options are right for you.

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