Hip labral tear

Sports such as soccer, football and golf can increase your risk of damaging the ring of cartilage that helps cushion and stabilize your hip joint.

Update Date: 04.11.2026

Overview
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Causes
Risk factors
Complications
Prevention
Diagnosis
Imaging tests
Anesthesia injection
Treatment
Medications
Therapy
Surgery or other procedures
Preparing for your appointment
What you can do
What to expect from your doctor

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Overview

A hip labral tear affects the ring of cartilage, called the labrum. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the outer edge of your hip socket. The labrum cushions the joint and works like a rubber seal to help keep the ball of your thigh bone securely in place inside the socket.

People who take part in activities such as ice hockey, soccer, football, golf and ballet have a higher risk of hip labral tears. Structural issues in the hip also can cause this kind of injury.

Hip labral tear

Hip labral tears are more common in people who play certain sports or who have structural issues in the hip. If conservative treatments such as reset, medicine and physical therapy don't help, a healthcare professional may recommend surgery to repair a torn labrum.

Symptoms

Many hip labral tears cause no signs or symptoms. However, some people may experience:

  • Pain in the hip or groin, especially after standing, sitting, walking for a long time, or during sports and exercise.
  • A locking, clicking or catching feeling in the hip joint.
  • Stiffness or limited range of motion in the hip joint.

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or don't improve within six weeks.

Causes

A hip labral tear can be caused by:

  • Trauma. A hip injury or dislocation can tear the labrum. A car accident or contact sports such as football or hockey are common causes of a labral hip tear.
  • Structural issues. Some people are born with hip shapes that increase stress on the joint. For example, a shallow hip socket or a socket that doesn’t fully cover the thigh bone make the labrum more likely to tear. This condition is called dysplasia. Extra bone growth in the hip also can pinch and damage the labrum over time. This condition is known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).
  • Repetitive motions. Sports or activities that involve twisting, turning, or long periods of running — such as golf, softball or distance running — can wear down the hip joint and eventually cause a tear.

Risk factors

Anyone can get a hip labral tear, but some conditions and activities make it more likely.

People with structural issues in the hip, such as impingement, dysplasia or loose ligaments, are at higher risk of developing a labral tear over time.

Certain sports and activities that involve repetitive or twisting movements also increase the risk of a hip labral tear. These include ballet, golf and swimming. Playing contact sports such as football and hockey also can raise the risk of hip injuries, including hip labral tears.

Complications

Having a hip labral tear may increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis in the hip joint later on.

Prevention

If the sports you play put a lot of strain on your hips, condition the surrounding muscles with strength and flexibility exercises.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare professional asks about your symptoms and medical history. During the physical exam, your health professional may move your leg and hip into different positions to check for pain and see how well your hip moves. They also may watch how you walk.

Imaging tests

A hip labral tear often happens along with other hip joint injuries, which may show up in imaging tests.

  • X-rays can show the bones of the hip and help identify arthritis or structural issues.
  • Magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) gives detailed images of the soft tissues in your hip. It combines an MRI scan with a special contrast material injected into the joint, which makes a labral tear easier to see.

Anesthesia injection

Hip pain can come from inside or outside the joint. To find out where it's coming from, your healthcare professional might inject a numbing medicine into your hip joint. If the pain goes away, the problem is likely inside the joint.

Treatment

Treatment depends on how serious your symptoms are. Some people feel better after a few weeks with rest and activity changes, while others may need arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn labrum.

Medications

Pain and inflammation can often be managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve). Your healthcare professional also may recommend a corticosteroid injection into the hip joint for short-term pain relief.

Therapy

A physical therapist can teach you exercises to improve your hip's range of motion and strengthen your hip and core muscles. Strengthening these areas helps support the joint and prevent further strain. Your physical therapist also can show you how to avoid movements that put too much stress on your hip.

Surgery or other procedures

If rest, medicine and therapy don't relieve your symptoms, your healthcare professional may suggest arthroscopic surgery. During this minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon inserts a small camera and tools through tiny cuts in the skin to see and repair the joint.

Depending on the cause and extent of the tear, the surgeon may remove the torn piece of labrum or repair the torn tissue by sewing it back together. Sometimes donor tissue may be used to strengthen or rebuild the labrum.

Possible risks of surgery include infection, bleeding, nerve injury and recurring symptoms if the repair doesn't heal properly. Most people can return to sports or full activity in about six months.

Preparing for your appointment

Your healthcare professional may refer you to a doctor who specializes in hip conditions or sports medicine.

What you can do

Before your visit, make a list that includes:

  • A clear description of your symptoms and when they started.
  • Other medical conditions you've had.
  • Activities that might be causing or worsening your hip pain.
  • All medicines, vitamins and supplements you take, including doses.
  • Questions you want to ask your healthcare professional.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional may ask questions such as:

  • Where exactly is your pain?
  • What were you doing when it started?
  • Does anything make the pain better or worse?

© 2026 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Terms of Use