There are two types of labrum, a soft, fibrous tissue, found in the human body. One type is the glenoid labrum, which surrounds the head of the humerus--the bone comprising the upper arm--and the second type, acetabular labrum, surrounds the head of the femur, or hip bone. The acetabular labrum is much more likely to become injured and cause you pain.
Conditions Causing Labral Pain
Labral pain often presents itself as a referred pain within the groin region. Individuals with a problem in the labrum often feel as if they have pulled a muscle in their groin. The most common cause of this "groin pain," however, is a tear in the labrum. Tears can be the result of an acute, traumatic injury, of structural abnormalities within the hip joint, or from degeneration and deterioration of the cartilage.
Athletes involved in sports that involve rotational movement within the hip sockets and high-impact forces are at higher risk for developing a labral tear. Athletes in ice hockey, ballet, soccer, football and golf are examples of those susceptible to hip labral tears. These tears are best diagnosed through magnetic resonance imaging; oftentimes dye is injected into the hip prior to the imaging to make the tear better detectable.
Symptoms of a Labral Tear
The most common symptoms of a labral tear are general hip pain, groin pain, catching and snapping sensations within the hip socket, and decreased range of motion. Stiffness following exercise bouts and pain with running or other high-impact, twisting activities is also common. Pain with leg flexion and external rotation, which involvesmlifting the leg to 90 degrees and then rotating the knee away from the body, is often symptomatic of a labral tear. Pain usually decreases with rest, yet may return upon increased activity.
Treatment for Labral Pain
Conservative treatment for a labral tear consists of taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen and rest. Physical therapy is also advised for some individuals to strengthen the core, hip, gluteus and other upper leg muscles. If those conservative treatments do not alleviate the pain, cortisone injections into the hip socket may be recommended. If pain still remains, hip labral tears may be treated via arthroscopic surgery.
Locations for Labral Tear Repair
Arthroscopic surgery for labral tear repair is a minimally invasive treatment option. Due to it being a "newer" procedure, only a selection of surgeons specialize in its technique. It is important to select a surgeon who specializes in labral tear repair as the procedure requires much skill. Below are a list of just a few surgeons known throughout the country specializing in arthroscopic surgery for labral tear repair:
Dr. Thomas Byrd, Nashville, TN
Dr. Marc Philippon, Vail, CO
Dr. Douglas Padgett, NYC, NY
Dr. Henry Boucher, Baltimore, MD
Dr. Bryan Kelly, NYC, NY
Outlook for Labral Tear Repair
Recovery from arthroscopic surgery for labral tear repair is generally positive. The recovery process varies for each surgeon and patient. Often patients are required to be non-weight bearing for four to six weeks, meaning they have to use crutches, and will modify activities for two to three more months following surgery. Extensive physical therapy is also required. Athletes have been observed returning to sport within three to fourmonths post-surgery while non-athletes resume normal activities often within three months.
