Miracle Rehab Clinic

Jul 237 min read

Physical Therapy for Hip Labral Tear: Treatment and Exercise

About 22-55% of people with hip pain have a labral tear. This condition can cause a lot of pain and limit your movement. It affects the labrum, a ring of cartilage around the hip joint. If you have a hip labral tear, physical therapy can help.

Physical therapy uses specific exercises and techniques that can strengthen the hip, reduce pain, and improve mobility.

Let's discuss in detail how PT can help treat and manage a hip labral tear!

What is a Hip Labral Tear?

A hip labral tear is an injury to the labrum. This is the cartilage that surrounds the hip joint. This cartilage functions as a cushion and helps stabilize the joint. When it tears, you might feel pain in your hip or groin, and your hip might feel stiff or unstable.

People who play sports like soccer, ice hockey, football, ballet, and golf are at a higher risk of developing this injury. Structural problems in the hip can also lead to a labral tear. It's a common issue but can be managed with proper care.

Symptoms of Hip Labral Tear

Many hip labral tears come with little to no symptoms. Some people, however, have one or more of the symptoms below:

Pain in the hip or groin area
A clicking sensation in the hip
Stiffness or limited motion in the hip
A feeling of instability or weakness in the hip joint
Discomfort that worsens with activity or prolonged sitting

If you notice these symptoms, you need to talk to a healthcare expert for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Diagnosis of Hip Labral Tear

Your healthcare provider will take a history of your pain and discomfort.

After this, you will be asked to move your leg and especially your hip joint. This is done to check for pain and evaluate your hip's range of motion. He or she would also watch you walk to get a complete diagnosis.

To get a clear view of the injury, your doctor may order tests such as:

X-rays: To rule out bone issues.
MRI: To get a detailed image of the labrum and hip joint.
CT Scan: Sometimes used for a more precise image.

Early diagnosis helps in managing the condition effectively.

Role of Physical Therapy in Treating Hip Labral Tears

Physical therapy results in major improvement without the need for surgery. The sole aim of physical therapy for hip labral tears is to help lessen pain, improve joint mobility, enhance blood circulation, strengthen the surrounding muscles of the hip, and restore normal movement patterns.

A skilled PT will start by conducting an evaluation test, which will help assess factors like range of motion, strength, flexibility, agility, and functional limitations, as indicated earlier in this article.

The PT will then develop a personalized treatment plan following the assessment of your condition.

The therapist should be able to identify the various biomechanical issues that may have contributed to the injury, educate you more about your health condition, and provide you with a management strategy for your symptoms.

Common Physical Therapy Technique for Hip Labral Tears

Physical therapists use various techniques to help you recover from a hip labral tear. These methods focus on reducing pain and improving hip function. Some common techniques include:

Neuromuscular re-education

This focuses on improving the movement of the damaged muscles surrounding the hip. It helps to increase stability and reduce stress on the labrum during any form of movement. It is simply body movement awareness, and here, the patient will also be guided on posture.

Therapeutic exercises

This technique involves a series of ideal exercises for treating hip labral tears. Therapeutic exercises are usually easy at the start, but as you advance with your treatment, they become quite challenging. Your physical therapist may include balance-improving exercises to improve your hip stability and flexibility.

Pain management technique

For this, your PT will use some of these effective methods:

Ice: they will apply ice to the hip. This is to reduce swelling and numb the pain. They will also teach you how to use an ice pack for 15-20 minutes several times a day.
Heat: Heat can relax tight muscles and increase blood flow. Your PT will teach you how to use a warm compress and the right temperature for a hot bath.
Ultrasound: This therapy uses sound waves to promote healing and reduce pain. Your therapist may use it during sessions to target deep tissues.

These methods can help you feel more comfortable and support your recovery.

Effective Exercises for Hip Labral Tears

Here are some highly effective exercises for hip labral tears

Gentle hip rotations

They help to improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness around the hip. They can be performed while lying on your back or standing. You may be instructed to gradually increase your range of motion as the therapist sees fit.

Bridges

These are the perfect exercises to strengthen the gluteal muscles and improve hip stability. To perform a bridge, lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Then, lift up your hips, holding up for a few seconds before lowering your back to the ground.

Clamshells

Clamshells target the hip abductor muscles. These muscles play an important role in improving hip joint stability. You can perform these exercises by lying down on your side with your knees bent and then lifting the top knee while keeping your feet together.

Your physical therapist (PT) will perform these exercises with you regularly to improve your strength and flexibility. They will also teach you how to do simple body movement exercises at home.

Benefits of Physical Therapy in Treating Hip Labral Tears

Physical therapy offers many benefits for those with hip labral tears. These include:

Helps you recover from your illness or accidental injury so you can move with less pain and more easily.
Reduces pain so you can enjoy life without experiencing any discomfort and become more active.
Enhances your coordination for easier movement and better mobility.
Lessens swelling in the affected muscles and joints.
Aids healing of soft tissue injuries and lesions.
Corrects your posture and motion issues.
Prevents limb issues and deformities

What to Expect During Physical Therapy for Hip Labral Tears

At the start of your physical therapy for a hip labral tear, you will have a consultation session. Your PT will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and limitations to your level of functionality. You will likely undergo tests to provide the therapist with enough information to make a possible diagnosis.

These tests are carried out to ascertain your hips condition which may include your hip's range of motion, strength, and flexibility. Following your diagnosis with hip labral tear, the therapist will create a treatment plan for you based on your condition. He/she may also give you details of your treatment including the duration and precautions you may need to take.

During the treatment, your therapist will assess your progress and change your treatment plan as many times as possible so as to match your pace of recovery. It is ideal that you communicate with your therapist throughout your recovery process. Don't hesitate to ask questions or express your concerns about your treatment or its progress.

Tips for Managing Hip Labral Tears at Home

Aside from the treatment of hip labral tear with physical therapy, there are other home treatment methods you can do to support your recovery process. These include:

Regular exercises: Your PT will provide you with a series of exercises you can perform at intervals. Keeping to these exercises will help you maintain progress, enhance blood flow and circulation for proper tissue growth, and prevent setbacks.
Use ice or heat as directed by your therapist. They can help you ease pain in your hip joint, reduce inflammation, improve flexibility, and reduce muscle tension.
Try to maintain good posture as much as you can, especially when you're sitting. Also, do not sit for longer periods; consider walking, jogging, or stretching. Do not put too much stress on your hip joint.
Do well to get a good amount of sleep, as it enhances recovery and healing.
You may want to use assistive locomotive devices, ask your physical therapist to recommend any to you. This might include a walking stick or crutches for the purpose of reducing weight-bearing on the damaged hip muscles.
Lastly, listen to your body and avoid any activities that cause pain.

Final Thoughts

If you're suffering from consistent pain, immobility, and stiffness around your hip, it is time to see a physical therapist at Miracle Rehab Clinic.

Physical therapy is an effective treatment option that can help address pain, improve joint functionality, correct posture, and address other biomechanical issues that may lead to future complications.

Schedule an appointment now for comprehensive therapy for hip labral tears.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should you seek physical therapy for a hip labral tear?

You should seek physical therapy if you experience persistent hip or groin pain, stiffness, or a clicking sensation in your hip. Early intervention can help manage pain and improve hip function. Consulting with a healthcare provider who can diagnose the tear and refer you to a physical therapist is a good step. The sooner you start therapy, the better your chances of avoiding further injury and speeding up recovery.

How long does it take to recover from a hip labral tear with physical therapy?

Recovery from a hip labral tear can vary from individual to individual. However, the time frame can be anywhere from a few weeks to several months. It's expected that you remain patient throughout the period till full recovery.

Can physical therapy prevent the need for surgery for a hip labral tear?

Yes, physical therapy can prevent the need for surgery. It does this by strengthening the muscles around your hip, improving flexibility, and learning proper movement techniques. Many people find major relief through therapy alone. However, in severe cases, surgery might still be necessary. Your therapist and doctor can help determine the best course of action based on your specific situation.