When an individual is diagnosed with a hip labral tear, he or she has sustained damage to the fibrous cartilage lining the inner rim of the hip’s socket (i.e., the acetabular labrum). While labral tears can happen to anyone, athletes participating in soccer, golf, ice hockey, ballet and football are at an increased risk of sustaining a hip labral tear.

If the acetabular labrum becomes injured, the individual may experience stiffness, limited range of motion, pain in the groin or in the hip as well as mechanical issues. These mechanical issues may include a clicking, locking or catching sensation in the joint when the joint moves within its normal range of motion. A labral tear can sometimes heal with rest, but if the injury persists, surgical intervention may be necessary. A hip labral tear may increase the likelihood of the individual developing secondary osteoarthritis in that joint at some point in the future.