What is a labral tear?
The labrum is a fibrocartilaginous rim which runs around the socket of the hip joint. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint and the labrum acts to provide stability and improves the suction effect of the ball and socket articulation.
It may also contribute towards proprioception an also protects the cartilage of the ball and socket articulation. It also protects the hyaline (glass-like) cartilage of the ball and socket joint.
What can cause it?
In the elite athlete, a labral tear often occurs following a significant sporting event. A labral tear can also occur in somebody who may have an underlying subtle bony dysplasia of the hip. This may also be accompanied by a significant sporting event.
What are the symptoms and signs?
The symptoms are often a deep-seated, recurrent and recalcitrant groin pain which does not improve with time.
Potential complications
The general complications specific to hip arthroscopy are recurrent symptoms, residual groin pain and injury to neighbouring structures.
The procedure
This involves keyhole hip surgery. Hip arthroscopy is performed as an overnight procedure. Under anaesthetic, traction is applied to the hip joint. This enables the insertion of an arthroscope along with a working portal through which instrumentation is performed. The labral tear is often identified and repaired or debrided, depending upon the exact configuration of the tear.