Acetabular Labral Tear
Amongst athletes, 22% with groin pain and 55% with structural symptoms of hip pain are suffering from an acetabular labral tear. Athletes are more likely to suffer from this if they have a pre-existing hip impingement or a developmental change in the hip structure
This post is only available to members.
Additional Information
Home Treatments
- People with an acetabular labral tear should avoid repetitive movements that will stress the labrum, such as hip flexion, adduction (moving leg towards the midline of body), abduction (taking leg away from midline) and end of range rotations.
- Avoidance of sitting in low chairs and crossing legs during sitting
- Offloading the hip will usually include a reduction in cessation in sport for a period of time depending on the extent of the tear
Professional Medical Treatment
- Gait (walking) re-training may be important to minimise the extent that the hip extends during gait to allow offloading of the structures in front of the hip
- It is recommended to trial a conservative approach (offloading and strengthening) prior to considering an invasive surgery in the case of this injury. High grade labral tears are usually an indication for referral to an orthopaedic surgeon for an opinion.
- Soft tissue management by physiotherapist to enhance resting muscle length-tension
Physical Therapy Exercises
- Initially pelvic and hip stabilising muscles should be trained and activated in an offloaded position with progressive loading against resistance
- Return to sport training through sport-specific exercises. This will include speed, skill and proprioception exercises. This may often involve directional changes, kicking, pivoting and deep squatting exercises.
Prevention Exercises
- Maintaining stability of deep hip stabilising muscles (usually deep rotators)
- Improving hip proprioception
- Enhancing trunk / core control
- Ensuring optimal function of surrounding joints (ankles, knee, lumbar spine etc.)