By Leah Kubale, Physiotherapist
What is Hip Labrum?
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that runs around the outside edge of the hip socket. It makes the socket deeper to help hold in the ball of the hip joint, as well as providing cushioning to the joint.
Who is at risk of a labral injury?
- A labral tear is most commonly caused by repetitive loading of the hip joint or by repeated sharp sports movements such as twisting and kicking.
- Sports such as long-distance running, AFL, soccer, golf, and ballet therefore higher risk sports for developing hip labral tears.
- Labral injuries are also more common in those with structural joint abnormalities.
- Age can also play a part in the degeneration of the labrum, too. If you suffer from hip arthritis, that could lead to a labral tear.
Contributing factors
- An unstable hip joint.
- Tightness in the muscles around the hip
- Muscle weakness
- Inadequate technique when performing repetitive tasks.
- Signs of a labral injury
- Pain in the hip or groin area groin pain which can sometimes be mistaken for an abdominal issue or a groin strain
- Stiffness or limited range of motion in the hip joint, especially hip flexion and internal rotation.
- A hip joint that locks, clicks or catches
- Instability: It might feel like stiffness in the hip joint, difficulty walking or when you go up and down steps
Will a labral tear heal on its own?
Once a labrum is torn, it is unable to repair itself on its own. There are surgical procedures for removing or repairing the labrum, however, treatment with physiotherapy is often the first step and is often effective.
What will a physiotherapist do?
Physiotherapy aims to reduce pain and improve hip mobility by improving pelvic positioning and strength. The main goal with physiotherapy is to reach a satisfactory level of activity and avoid surgical intervention. Treatment is focused on targeted exercises, manual therapy techniques, and the provision of a personalised exercise program.
To make an appointment, call our Claremont physio clinic on (08) 9384 1555 or our Nedlands physio clinic on (08) 6389 2947.
