Hip Labral Tears & EDS/HSD

A common injury we treat here in our clinic is a hip labral tear. A labral tear occurs when the cartilage, or labrum, in your hip becomes damaged. The labrum is responsible for your flexibility and range of motion in your hip – it also stabilizes the thigh bone. When there is a labral tear in the hip, there are multiple symptoms you can experience, including:

- Sharp in the front of the hip and/or groin

- Click, locking, or catching sensation in the hip

- Limited range of motion

- Stiffness when moving your hip

A labral tear can have several causes, including traumatic injuries or a repetitive motion from sports/activities. For those of us who have EDS/HSD, however, we are especially vulnerable to this type of injury. This is because we have a high level of joint laxity, causing excess wear and tear on our joints, especially our hips. We are also susceptible to structural abnormalities such as hip dysplasia, which can contribute to labral tears.

Identifying a labral tear on your own can be difficult, but medical professionals can help. Your local physical therapist, primary care physician, or orthopedic specialist can assess you and help diagnose the source of your hip pain, through both physical evaluation and imaging such as X-rays or MRIs.

If you discover that you have a labral tear, there are many options available to you. If the tear is minor, physical therapy may be your solution. You’ll be able to increase range of motion in your hips and learn proper muscle mechanics to prevent further injury. You can also try medication such as ibuprofen that is anti-inflammatory to treat your pain.

In more severe case, arthroscopic surgery may be recommended. During this surgery, your surgeon will either remove the injured piece of labrum or repair the torn tissue. If you do move forward with surgery, it is best to find a surgeon that is familiar with EDS/HSD. It is also crucial that you follow post-operative guidelines to ensure your hip heals properly.

Most importantly, be sure to consult with your primary care physician or other medical professionals in regards to your medical concerns. This text cannot and should not replace advice from the patient's healthcare professionals. Any person who experiences symptoms or feels that something may be wrong should seek individual professional help for evaluation and/or treatment. This post is for informative purposes only.