What is a Hip Tear?

A hip tear is a type of injury that could result from overstretching a muscle or from repetitive motion of the hip. The tear may occur in a hip muscle or in cartilage at the hip joint. The various reasons cited for a hip tear include being involved in a car accident, a fall, a sports injury, or having an inherent abnormality in the hip. Pain in the hip area and restricted range of motion are among the symptoms typically experienced. Generally, the treatment course involves pain medication and physiotherapy; arthroscopic surgery might be considered in some cases.

If the hip has to perform an action that it is unprepared for, or is abrupt, that could cause a tear. A muscle in the hip area may rip when it is under chronic strain or suffers a blow. Improper exercise technique can cause a tear in the muscle. Physical activities that involve repetitive or recurring movement of the hip joint may increase the risk of a tear.

When the labrum cartilage found on the hip socket tears, the injury is referred to as a hip labral tear. This form of hip injury could be attributed to physical trauma such as a vehicle accident. Engaging in certain sports can increase the likelihood of a hip labral tear; as a result, the problem is often seen in athletes like golfers and soccer players. A person who has a defect in the hip structure or has osteoarthritis might be susceptible to suffering a tear. In such cases the hip joint may be subjected to considerable abrasion, which can damage the cartilage.

One might develop pain in the hip or groin region because of the problem. In case of a labral tear, a catching or clicking may be felt in the hip. The range of motion can get affected due to a hip tear.

Although one could seek treatment from a family practitioner, sometimes a patient is referred to a specialist in hip injuries or sports medicine. To diagnose the problem, a doctor usually examines the leg and ascertains the areas of pain. Typically, a patient’s muscle strength and range of motion are also assessed during the check-up. An X-ray or an MRI of the hip joint are among the tests often recommended to aid diagnosis. Sometimes a doctor might inject an anesthetic in the hip joint to pinpoint the location of the injury.

Generally, a patient is advised to rest the hip to facilitate recovery. Doctors normally prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) that include ibuprofen or naproxen for the pain and inflammation. Physiotherapy to strengthen the hip and improve range of motion could be a part of the treatment. The physiotherapist may also suggest measures to prevent further strain on the hip.

Sometimes a hip tear might be acute and symptoms could persist for over a month. Arthroscopic surgery can be an option in such instances. This surgical procedure is usually performed through tiny cuts in the skin. It could be used to take out the cartilage fragment or mend the tear.