Labral Tears are a Cause of Hip Pain
When most people think about hip pain, they think of old age and arthritis, but hip pain can happen in younger, active people too. Hip pain in younger people can be caused by a labral tear. Unfortunately, those who have this condition often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for an extended period of time.
Michaela’s Story of Bi-lateral Labral Repair
Individuals with a labral tear usually have pain in the front of the hip or groin, and often times they are diagnosed with a muscle pull or a groin strain that doesn’t get better with rest and anti-inflammatory medication. Some young or middle-aged athletes may be predisposed to labral tears, based on the repetitive motion of their activity or sport, including: runners, tri-athletes, volleyball, soccer and hockey players as well as gymnasts and dancers.
Labral tears are common; in fact, studies show that 67% of all teenage athletes have a labral tear and 93% of youth hockey players have a labral tear in the hip. Fortunately, not everyone with a labral tear has pain or symptoms that need treatment, but when young, active athletic individuals do have pain in the hip there is help available.
Some of the common symptoms of a labral tear can include:
- Pain in the front of the hip or groin that gets worse with activity or motion
- Decreased range of motion in one hip, when compared with the other
- Pain often gets worse with sitting for long periods of time
- A locking or catching sensation in the hip
- Difficulty putting on socks or shoes
- Pain that does not get better with physical therapy
