When is labral repair recommended for hip labral tear?

The labrum is a rim of cartilage around the hip socket. It helps deepen the socket and contributes to joint stability. A tear may cause groin pain, clicking, catching, or pain with sitting, turning, or sport, but imaging findings must be matched with the symptoms and examination.

During arthroscopic repair, small instruments are used to secure the torn labrum to the socket. The surgeon also looks for contributing issues such as abnormal bone shape or cartilage damage, because these can affect the plan and recovery.

Discuss the symptoms that remain after activity changes, targeted physiotherapy, and any recommended pain measures. Bring imaging and describe which movements trigger catching or deep groin pain. If surgery is planned, ask about crutches, driving, work demands, and the staged return to exercise.

Follow the rehabilitation plan carefully after repair. Early protection allows the tissue to heal, followed by gradual work on hip movement, strength, and control. Avoid testing the hip with deep flexion or twisting before clearance.

Seek urgent assessment for sudden inability to bear weight, a hot swollen hip with fever, new leg weakness or numbness, or severe pain after an injury. After surgery, worsening wound redness, drainage, fever, or calf swelling also needs prompt medical review.

Ask whether the labrum can be repaired, what other hip findings need treatment, and how the diagnosis was confirmed. Clarify expected restrictions, rehabilitation milestones, and what alternatives remain if symptoms continue.