A hip (acetabular) labral tear is damage to cartilage and tissue in the hip socket.

The labrum can tear for many reasons, such as:

• Falls
• Car accidents
• Sports that require regular rotation of the hip (exe. golf, soccer, hockey, and ballet)
• Running and sprinting

Almost 75% cases of torn acetabular labrum have no known direct cause. These tears may develop gradually. Labral tears of the hip are more common in women. They also occur more often in people who have abnormalities of the hip structure, like hip dysplasia and other conditions.

In some cases, tears cause no symptoms. In others, symptoms may include pain in the groin and a feeling that the leg is catching or clicking in the socket as it’s moved.

Over time, labral tears in the hip may cause permanent damage to the joint.

Conservative treatment includes:

• Use of over the counter or other pain medication
• Rest
• Physical therapy to build muscle strength and ability to bear weight

If arthroscopic surgery is needed, it will be followed by physical therapy.