Do you feel a sharp pain deep in your groin or front of your hip? Does your hip click, catch, or feel unstable—especially when sitting, squatting, or twisting? You might have a hip labral tear, a common but often misunderstood source of hip pain.
Fortunately, physiotherapy can help you manage this condition without surgery in many cases—and get you moving comfortably again.
What Is a Hip Labral Tear?
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the socket of your hip joint. It helps keep the joint stable, absorbs shock, and supports smooth movement of your hip.
A labral tear happens when this cartilage is torn or damaged—often due to:
- Sports involving twisting or pivoting (like soccer or hockey)
- Repetitive hip movement
- Structural issues like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
- Injuries or trauma
- Aging-related wear and tear
Common Symptoms
- Deep groin or front-of-hip pain
- Clicking, locking, or catching when moving
- Sharp pain with twisting, prolonged sitting, or climbing stairs
- Stiffness and limited hip mobility
- Weakness or instability during activity
Do I Need Surgery?
Not always. While surgery is an option for some, research shows that many people improve significantly with physiotherapy alone—especially when the tear is not severe or combined with hip impingement.
How Physiotherapy Helps
Physiotherapy focuses on:
- Improving hip strength and control
- Correcting movement patterns to reduce joint stress
- Stabilizing the core and pelvis
- Reducing pain and stiffness
- Helping you return to sport, work, or daily life safely
What the Science Says
A randomized controlled trial by Bennell et al. (2018) showed that physiotherapy was as effective as arthroscopic surgery in improving pain and function in patients with hip labral tears related to impingement.
Another study by Emara et al. (2011) found that patients who received conservative care (including physio) had significant improvements in pain, walking, and daily function without surgery.
When to See a Physiotherapist
- Ongoing hip or groin pain for more than 2–3 weeks
- Clicking or catching with movement
- Pain with sitting, squatting, or twisting
- You want to avoid or delay surgery
- You’ve had hip surgery and need rehab
Bottom Line
You don’t have to live with hip pain—or jump straight to surgery. A physiotherapist can guide you through a research-supported recovery plan that reduces pain, improves movement, and helps you return to the life you love.
References:
Bennell, K. L., Spiers, L., Takla, A., Vicenzino, B., Ferreira, P., Harris, A., … & Hinman, R. S. (2018). Physiotherapy versus arthroscopic hip surgery for femoroacetabular impingement: A randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(10), 669–676. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-098945
Emara, K., Samir, W., Motasem, E., & Ghafar, K. A. (2011). Conservative treatment for acetabular labral tears. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 6(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1749-799X-6-20
