The labrum is a piece of cartilage that lines the socket (acetabulum) of the hip joint. It provides strength and cushions the hip joint. A tear in the labrum can result from injury, repeated wear-and-tear to the hip joint, or from a bony deformity (impingement) in the hip joint. Signs and Symptoms

Pain in the groin or front of the hip, which may go around to the side or back of the hip A clicking or catching feeling in the hip

Pain that gets worse with sitting or standing for long periods, walking, running, or skating Pain with flexing and twisting of the hip

Increased Risk

Contact sports (football, hockey) Poor physical conditioning, strength, and flexibility in the hip

Sports with recurring movements that stress the hip (running, skiing, artistic swimming, cycling) Having an abnormal shape of the bones in the hip joint

Treatment 

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider and do not take for the first 3 days after injury. Other minor pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities ordered by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes. Steroids may be injected into the hip to help with pain.

Rest

Resting from physical activity may help decrease pain.

Orthopedic aids

Orthotics may be prescribed if there is a leg length difference to make sure the pelvis is in a well aligned position.

Rehab

Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

Surgery

Large or painful labral tears that do not respond to other treatment often require surgery to repair the damaged cartilage.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Complete all exercises and rehab before returning to practice or competition.

Maintain proper conditioning, hip and thigh flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Use proper technique when playing sports.

When to Call the Doctor Call your doctor, health care provider, or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

Symptoms get worse in 2 weeks, even with treatment. New, unexplained symptoms develop.

  Sports Medicine: Labral Tear of Hip (PDF) HH-I-582 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

The labrum is a piece of cartilage that lines the socket (acetabulum) of the hip joint. It provides strength and cushions the hip joint. A tear in the labrum can result from injury, repeated wear-and-tear to the hip joint, or from a bony deformity (impingement) in the hip joint. Signs and Symptoms

Pain in the groin or front of the hip, which may go around to the side or back of the hip A clicking or catching feeling in the hip

Pain that gets worse with sitting or standing for long periods, walking, running, or skating Pain with flexing and twisting of the hip

Increased Risk

Contact sports (football, hockey) Poor physical conditioning, strength, and flexibility in the hip

Sports with recurring movements that stress the hip (running, skiing, artistic swimming, cycling) Having an abnormal shape of the bones in the hip joint

Treatment 

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider and do not take for the first 3 days after injury. Other minor pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities ordered by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes. Steroids may be injected into the hip to help with pain.

Rest

Resting from physical activity may help decrease pain.

Orthopedic aids

Orthotics may be prescribed if there is a leg length difference to make sure the pelvis is in a well aligned position.

Rehab

Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

Surgery

Large or painful labral tears that do not respond to other treatment often require surgery to repair the damaged cartilage.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Complete all exercises and rehab before returning to practice or competition.

Maintain proper conditioning, hip and thigh flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Use proper technique when playing sports.

When to Call the Doctor Call your doctor, health care provider, or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

Symptoms get worse in 2 weeks, even with treatment. New, unexplained symptoms develop.

  Sports Medicine: Labral Tear of Hip (PDF) HH-I-582 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

The labrum is a piece of cartilage that lines the socket (acetabulum) of the hip joint. It provides strength and cushions the hip joint. A tear in the labrum can result from injury, repeated wear-and-tear to the hip joint, or from a bony deformity (impingement) in the hip joint. Signs and Symptoms

Pain in the groin or front of the hip, which may go around to the side or back of the hip A clicking or catching feeling in the hip

Pain that gets worse with sitting or standing for long periods, walking, running, or skating Pain with flexing and twisting of the hip

Increased Risk

Contact sports (football, hockey) Poor physical conditioning, strength, and flexibility in the hip

Sports with recurring movements that stress the hip (running, skiing, artistic swimming, cycling) Having an abnormal shape of the bones in the hip joint

Treatment 

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider and do not take for the first 3 days after injury. Other minor pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities ordered by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes. Steroids may be injected into the hip to help with pain.

Rest

Resting from physical activity may help decrease pain.

Orthopedic aids

Orthotics may be prescribed if there is a leg length difference to make sure the pelvis is in a well aligned position.

Rehab

Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

Surgery

Large or painful labral tears that do not respond to other treatment often require surgery to repair the damaged cartilage.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Complete all exercises and rehab before returning to practice or competition.

Maintain proper conditioning, hip and thigh flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Use proper technique when playing sports.

When to Call the Doctor Call your doctor, health care provider, or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

Symptoms get worse in 2 weeks, even with treatment. New, unexplained symptoms develop.

  Sports Medicine: Labral Tear of Hip (PDF) HH-I-582 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

The labrum is a piece of cartilage that lines the socket (acetabulum) of the hip joint. It provides strength and cushions the hip joint. A tear in the labrum can result from injury, repeated wear-and-tear to the hip joint, or from a bony deformity (impingement) in the hip joint.

Signs and Symptoms

Pain in the groin or front of the hip, which may go around to the side or back of the hip A clicking or catching feeling in the hip

Pain that gets worse with sitting or standing for long periods, walking, running, or skating Pain with flexing and twisting of the hip

Increased Risk

Contact sports (football, hockey) Poor physical conditioning, strength, and flexibility in the hip

Sports with recurring movements that stress the hip (running, skiing, artistic swimming, cycling) Having an abnormal shape of the bones in the hip joint

Treatment 

  • Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider and do not take for the first 3 days after injury.
  • Other minor pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.
  • Use of cold and heat
  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
  • Heat may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities ordered by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Steroids may be injected into the hip to help with pain.
  • Rest
  • Resting from physical activity may help decrease pain.
  • Orthopedic aids
  • Orthotics may be prescribed if there is a leg length difference to make sure the pelvis is in a well aligned position.
  • Rehab
  • Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.
  • Surgery
  • Large or painful labral tears that do not respond to other treatment often require surgery to repair the damaged cartilage.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Complete all exercises and rehab before returning to practice or competition.

Maintain proper conditioning, hip and thigh flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Use proper technique when playing sports.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor, health care provider, or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

Pain in the groin or front of the hip, which may go around to the side or back of the hip A clicking or catching feeling in the hip

Pain that gets worse with sitting or standing for long periods, walking, running, or skating Pain with flexing and twisting of the hip

  • Pain in the groin or front of the hip, which may go around to the side or back of the hip

  • A clicking or catching feeling in the hip

  • Pain that gets worse with sitting or standing for long periods, walking, running, or skating

  • Pain with flexing and twisting of the hip

Contact sports (football, hockey) Poor physical conditioning, strength, and flexibility in the hip

Sports with recurring movements that stress the hip (running, skiing, artistic swimming, cycling) Having an abnormal shape of the bones in the hip joint

  • Contact sports (football, hockey)

  • Poor physical conditioning, strength, and flexibility in the hip

  • Sports with recurring movements that stress the hip (running, skiing, artistic swimming, cycling)

  • Having an abnormal shape of the bones in the hip joint

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider and do not take for the first 3 days after injury.

  • Other minor pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.

  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.

  • Heat may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities ordered by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

  • Steroids may be injected into the hip to help with pain.

  • Resting from physical activity may help decrease pain.

  • Orthotics may be prescribed if there is a leg length difference to make sure the pelvis is in a well aligned position.

  • Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

  • Large or painful labral tears that do not respond to other treatment often require surgery to repair the damaged cartilage.

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Complete all exercises and rehab before returning to practice or competition.

Maintain proper conditioning, hip and thigh flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Use proper technique when playing sports.

  • Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.

  • Complete all exercises and rehab before returning to practice or competition.

  • Maintain proper conditioning, hip and thigh flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

  • Use proper technique when playing sports.

  • Symptoms get worse in 2 weeks, even with treatment.

  • New, unexplained symptoms develop.

 

Sports Medicine: Labral Tear of Hip (PDF)

HH-I-582 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online