Labral tears
A hip labral tear is a common cause of persistent groin pain, clicking or catching in the hip, particularly during walking, exercise or sport.
What is a hip labral tear?
The labrum is a strong ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of your hip joint. You can think of it as a seal that helps keep the ball of the hip joint stable while allowing smooth movement. A labral tear occurs when this cartilage becomes damaged, causing pain and affecting the way your hip functions. Labral tears are commonly associated with conditions such as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and hip dysplasia, where the shape of the hip places extra stress on the joint. They are also more common in people with joint hypermobility, particularly younger women, where increased movement within the joint can place additional strain on the labrum. In some cases, a tear develops after a fall or through sports involving repeated twisting or rotation of the hip, including ballet, hockey, running and netball. Because several hip conditions can cause similar symptoms, persistent hip or groin pain should always be assessed by a specialist to establish the underlying cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary depending on the size of the tear and whether there is an underlying hip condition, but commonly include:
- Pain in the groin or front of the hip
- Pain during sport or physical activity
- Clicking, catching or locking within the hip
- Stiffness or reduced hip movement
- A feeling that the hip is unstable or giving way
- Pain when sitting for long periods
- Difficulty with walking, running or everyday activities
Clicking in the hip is not always a sign of a labral tear. However, persistent pain or symptoms that limit your usual activities should be assessed by a specialist.
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will ask how your symptoms began, what makes them better or worse and how they affect your work, exercise and everyday life. They will also discuss what you would like to return to.
Your assessment may include:
- A detailed medical history
- Physical examination
- Assessment of hip movement and function
- X-rays to assess the shape of the hip joint
- MRI scans to assess the labrum and surrounding soft tissues
- CT scans where detailed assessment of the bone is needed, particularly if femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is suspected
Scan findings are considered alongside your symptoms and examination. This is important because a labral tear seen on a scan may not always be the main cause of a person’s pain.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on what is causing your symptoms, the condition of the wider hip joint and what you want to return to. Many people begin with non-surgical treatment.
Your treatment may include:
- Activity modification
- Personalised physiotherapy to improve hip strength, movement and control
- Pain-relieving medication where appropriate
- Image-guided injections, which may help relieve pain or confirm the source of your symptoms
Surgery may be considered if you continue to experience pain or restricted function despite appropriate rehabilitation
Hip arthroscopy is keyhole surgery performed through small incisions. Depending on the condition of your hip, your surgeon may repair the labrum or carefully remove unstable damaged tissue. Associated problems, such as bone changes linked to femoroacetabular impingement, may also be treated where appropriate.
Your consultant will talk you through the potential benefits, limitations and risks of each option so you can make an informed decision.
Treatment routes for labral tears
Non-surgical care may be suitable when your symptoms are manageable, there is no urgent reason to operate and the hip is likely to respond to rehabilitation.
Treatment usually includes physiotherapy, activity modification and appropriate pain management. Physiotherapy may focus on hip and pelvic strength, movement control and gradually increasing the activities you can manage comfortably.
The aim is to reduce pain, improve hip function and help you return to everyday life, exercise or sport with greater confidence.
Recovery goals for labral tears
Phase 1:
The initial goals may include: Reducing pain and swelling Protecting the hip and any surgical repair Beginning gentle, comfortable movement Using walking aids where advised Starting basic muscle activation and strength exercises
Phase 2
As your recovery progresses, the goals may include: Improving hip movement and flexibility Rebuilding strength around the hip, pelvis and trunk Improving balance and movement control Increasing walking and everyday activities Regaining confidence in your hip
Phase 3
The later stages of rehabilitation may focus on: Developing strength for work, exercise or sport Improving balance, power, coordination and control Gradually increasing activity-specific training Returning to exercise or sport where appropriate Reducing the risk of further symptoms or injury There is no single recovery timeline that applies to everyone. Your care team will review your progress and help you move through each phase safely.
Working with hip professionals and teams
Our hip specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hips. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Hip treatment
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How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Labral tears FAQs
The symptoms of a labral tear may improve over time, but the tear itself does not usually heal naturally because the labrum has a limited blood supply. Many people successfully manage their symptoms with physiotherapy and activity modification, while others benefit from surgery depending on the cause of their pain.
Not necessarily. Many people begin with non-surgical treatment and do not need an operation.
Surgery may be considered if your symptoms continue despite appropriate rehabilitation and your specialist believes that the labral tear or an associated hip problem is contributing to your pain.
Staying active is often encouraged, but some activities may need to be modified while your hip recovers. Your physiotherapist will help you maintain fitness safely and guide your return to exercise based on your symptoms and recovery.
Recovery depends on your symptoms, the underlying cause of your labral tear and whether you have surgery. Many people improve with rehabilitation over several months, while recovery following hip arthroscopy typically takes longer. Your care team will guide you through each stage of your recovery at a pace that's right for you.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
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