A hip labral tear is a type of injury that affects the labrum, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip joint socket. The labrum serves an important function in stabilizing the ball of the thighbone (femur) within the socket, while also providing cushioning and support to the joint.
When the labrum becomes torn or damaged, it can cause pain, discomfort, and limited mobility in the affected hip.
What causes a hip labral tear?
There are many causes of hip labral tears, including:
- Trauma: A sudden, forceful hip movement can tear the labrum. This is most common in athletes who participate in sports that involve pivoting or twisting, such as football, soccer, and basketball.
- Degenerative changes: Over time, the labrum can wear down and tear. This is more common in people who have osteoarthritis of the hip.
- Structural problems: Some people are born with hip abnormalities that make them more likely to develop a labral tear. These abnormalities include hip dysplasia and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).
The symptoms of a hip labral tear can vary depending on the severity of the tear. Some people may experience no symptoms, while others may have hip, groin, or buttock pain.
The pain may worsen with certain activities, such as walking, running, or pivoting. Other symptoms may include stiffness, clicking or popping in the hip, and a feeling of the hip "giving way."
How to Treat a Hip Labral Tear
An inflamed or torn hip labrum will surely slow you down. When you have a labral tear, you'll likely feel pain when doing the following things: bending, rotating your hip, or walking. You may even feel a clicking sensation in your hip joint. It helps to take preventive measures against ACL tears by performing strengthening exercises for knee stability.
The procedures used to treat a torn or weakened hip labrum vary from patient to patient based on how much damage was caused by the injury and other conditions affecting the hip labrum.
Here are the best ways to reduce pain from hip labral tears and when you should consider surgery.
Treatment for Minor Tears
Your labrum protects the femoral head and the acetabulum in the hip's ball-and-socket joint. Several treatment options for a labrum tear include rest, medication, and ice to surgery. Depending on the severity of your injury and the treatment options available to you, nonsurgical alternatives or surgery may be recommended.
Hot & Cold Application
A hip labral tear is a nightmare and requires immediate treatment. Luckily, there are many ways to relieve pain and swelling in this section of the hip joint that has been damaged by sports injuries or simply lousy genetics.
Applying cold to an injured area may not be fun, but it works wonders because it numbs the pain and reduces inflammation and edema.Cold therapy sack helps soothe the discomfort, providing you with some measurable relief during this difficult time.
Additionally, cold prevents any further injury that could have occurred if you had attempted exercise prematurely - so give yourself a break!
Sacksy Thyme Cold Therapy pack for Hip Labral Tear:
Heat work very differently from ice, but they complement one another. A herbal heating pad can bring beneficial blood flow to the injured area, which delivers oxygen and nutrients at an increased rate.
At the same time, cold constricts the blood vessels, bringing down inflammation bound to hamper your healing efforts. The downside is that heat can cause more swelling, so it's best not to use heat on a fresh injury because that could lead to excess bruising and swelling.
Sacksy Thyme herbal heating pad for Hip Labral Tear:
Rest from Activity
If you have a hip labral tear, it is important to rest your hip and avoid activities that cause pain. This will allow your body to heal and the swelling in your hip joint to go down. You should stop sports, slow down at work, and avoid activities that put stress on your hip. Once the pain and swelling have subsided, you can gradually increase your activity level.
However, listening to your body and resting when necessary is important. If stopping specific actions is challenging, or you have difficulty doing certain things, talk it over with a good friend or family member who can step in and help out while you get better.
Essential oils
There are two ways in which essential oils can be utilized, namely through a lavender heating pad and aromatherapy. Incorporating ten drops of essential oils into a warm bath can aid in reducing inflammation and promoting relaxation. Additionally, essential oils, such as peppermint, can be used for arthritis by massaging them onto the hip area to alleviate pain and inflammation.
Some essential oils that are commonly used for arthritis include:
- Lavender: Lavender is known for its calming and relaxing properties. It can help reduce stress and promote sleep, which can benefit people with arthritis.
- Peppermint: Peppermint is a warming essential oil that can help to relieve pain and inflammation. It is often used to massage the hip area for arthritis.
- Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus is another warming essential oil that can help to relieve pain and inflammation. It can also help to clear congestion, which can be helpful for people with arthritis who have respiratory problems.
It is important to note that essential oils should not be used directly on the skin without a carrier oil. Carrier oils help to dilute the essential oil and prevent it from irritating the skin.
If you are considering using essential oils for arthritis, it is important to talk to your doctor first. They can help you choose the right essential oils for your specific needs and ensure that you use them safely.
Here are some additional tips for using essential oils for arthritis:
- Start with a small amount of essential oil and gradually increase the amount as needed.
- Test the essential oil on a small skin area before using it on a larger area.
- If you experience any irritation, discontinue the use of the essential oil.
- Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets.
Exercises
Once you regain your hip mobility, decrease the pain, and are cleared by your physical therapist or doctor, start exercising again. Before you exercise for your hip joint, ask for a referral from your medical professional.
Exercise will help strengthen muscle fibers and support the area's stability while increasing blood flow throughout. Stop exercising when you are experiencing pain in your hip.
Physical Therapy
Several hip abnormalities can cause a hip labral tear, including Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), trauma, and arthritis. A therapist can guide you through the recovery process for any of these three causes of damage.
First, a physical therapist will develop a treatment plan to strengthen muscle groups around your hip area to improve stability and avoid movements that could result in further injury and pain.
You'll also want to work with a physical therapist after surgery if you have one performed. They'll help you regain strength and increase flexibility throughout your entire range of motion after surgery.
Compression & Support
Another non-invasive treatment option is to use some external support and protection. Compression wraps and braces affect the hip, muscles, and tendons near the groin area and may provide you with some pain relief while preventing further injury. Look for a fully adjustable wrap or brace that fits perfectly so it doesn't slip on impact or when moving around too much.
Anti-Inflammatories
A torn labrum is an injury that ranges from none to intense pain. If you have some small amount of pain, taking an anti-inflammatory medication can remove the pain. Medications like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
These medications don't require a prescription and are generally well-tolerated. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking a new medicine because it could interact with other medications and cause unintended side effects.
More Severe Labrum Tears
Injections for Pain
If the conservative treatment does not work, your doctor may suggest two types of injections. One is an intra-articular injection that goes into the hip joint. This injection will numb or reduce your pain.
If this doesn't do enough, your doctor might inject a steroid that helps to reduce the swelling directly into your hip joint. These injections won't cure you entirely but will soothe many symptoms you are experiencing.
Arthroscopic Surgery
Surgery to fix a hip labral tear is something that some people seek. The surgery is done for more severe cases of tearing, and it involves making incisions into the hip using an arthroscope and another tool used to clean out bone spurs called a burr.
Recovery from this procedure takes at least 4-6 weeks to heal enough so that you can bear weight without distress. So follow your orthopedic surgeon's orders about what you can do during recovery to avoid further pain or chronic issues once you return to daily activities!
The Right Recovery Plan
If you are dealing with a hip labral tear at home, the first step is to lay it off completely. Apply ice-cold packs twice daily, take medications as your doctor prescribes, and get plenty of rest.
Once the pain has subsided and you have received medical clearance, start exercising again and re-strengthening your hip muscles. It typically includes strengthening and stretching exercises specific to the injured area 4 times weekly.
If these home treatments do not provide relief or if the tear is severe, then surgery may be recommended by a healthcare provider. Ensure you follow your doctor's advice on safe activities after hip labral tear surgery!
When should I call the doctor about a hip labral tear?
If you are experiencing pain or other symptoms in your hip, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis. The doctor will likely perform a physical exam and order imaging tests, such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan. These tests can help to confirm the diagnosis of a hip labral tear and rule out other possible causes of pain.
Treatment for a hip labral tear depends on the severity of the tear and the symptoms. In some cases, conservative treatments, such as rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication, may be enough to relieve the pain and improve function. In other cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the tear.
If you have been diagnosed with a hip labral tear, it is important to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan for you. With the right treatment, most people with hip labral tears can fully recover and resume normal activities.