Labral Tear
The labrum is cartilage that lines the hip and shoulder joints. Its function is to deepen the joint socket so that the ball stays in place and to attach to surrounding tendons. A labral tear can be a tear in the cartilage itself or a tearing off the bone.
What Causes a Labral Tear?
The cartilage can tear or degenerate when there is blunt trauma, repetitive overuse (golf, baseball, weightlifting, football) or osteoarthritis.
What Are the Symptoms of a Labral Tear?
Often, there are no symptoms and no treatment is called for. However, sometimes there is:
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Pain
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A "catching" feeling when the joint is moved
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Stiffness and limited range of motion
How Is a Labral Tear Evaluated?
Your physician will conduct a physical exam to assess flexibility, stability, range of motion and pain level. An MRI may be ordered.
How Is a Labral Tear Treated?
Self Care
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) help with pain relief and swelling reduction.
Nonsurgical
Surgical
If symptoms do not subside with nonsurgical treatment, your physician may suggest arthroscopic surgery to remove or repair torn cartilage. Following surgery, you will have to rest or immobilize the joint. Your doctor will prescribe gentle range-of-motion and flexibility exercises. After a month, you must commit to
physical therapy
to achieve an optimal result.
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).