Physical Therapy for a Hip Labral Tear
What it is, the Benefits, and What to Expect
Related Articles
- Labral Tear: Injury Overview
- The Best Hip Labral Treatments
- The Best Hip Labral Tear Exercises
- Physical Therapy for a Hip Labral Tear
It is not clear how common a hip labral tear is. But it is a frequent cause of hip and groin pain. According to research in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Journal, 22% of athletes with groin pain and 55% with hip pain have a hip labral tear.
A hip labral tear involves a tear in the cartilage surrounding the acetabulum, the hip socket. The labrum helps keep the joint fluid inside the joint, allowing motion without friction and providing stability to the hip.
Hip labrum tears vary in severity and can lead to pain, decreased range of motion, and stiffness. A hip labrum tear can also interfere with normal movement. Mobility limitations from abnormal movement can lead to limping and problems doing daily activities, such as walking. If symptomatic and left untreated, it can have a negative impact on overall quality of life.
Many people have symptoms for a long time. The average duration of symptoms is greater than two years, likely due in part to the challenge of recognizing a hip labrum tear as the source of the pain.
Depending on the severity of the tear, a physician may recommend physical therapy for a hip labral tear. Physical therapy involves implementing treatment that incorporates movement and other modalities to reduce pain and improve strength, balance, and range of motion.
The article below takes an in-depth look at physical therapy for a hip labral tear, including the benefits, types of exercises, and how to choose a physical therapist.
The Benefits of Hip Labral Tear Physical Therapy (PT)
Treatment for a hip labral tear sometimes includes physical therapy. Doctors may recommend physical therapy as part of a conservative medical treatment plan without surgery. Physical therapy may also be beneficial after surgical repair of a hip labrum tear.
A study published in the journal Hip and Pelvis found that physical therapy improved symptoms. The study evaluated this improvement using the International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT12). Participants who underwent physical therapy had a mean iHOT12 score that improved from 44 to 76.4 in 4. 7 months.
Physical therapy for a hip labral tear has several benefits, such as the following:
Reduced pain and inflammation management
A study in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy involved four patients who underwent 6 to 8 weeks of conservative treatment for a hip labral tear, including physical therapy involving stretching and strengthening exercises. All patients demonstrated reduced pain, correction of muscular imbalance, and functional improvement.
Increased strength for better joint stability
Strengthening exercises are part of a physical therapy treatment for a hip labrum tear. For instance, exercises that strengthen the quadriceps, hip abductors, and adductors help increase hip joint stability and improve functioning.
Improved hip mobility and range of motion
A literature review published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physicalogial Therapeutics found that proprioceptive deficits are common with joint injuries, such as a hip labrum tear. Physical therapy may provide proprioceptive retraining, which helps reestablish neuromotor control and improve hip joint range of motion and stability.
Prevention of future injuries
Torn hip labrum rehab, including physical therapy, may also help prevent future injuries to the hip. Strengthening the surrounding muscles may decrease the force placed on the labrum, reducing the risk of injury. Physical therapy also helps someone learn how to move correctly and avoid activities and movements that cause pain.
Potential alternative to surgery for mild to moderate tears
Physical therapy will not help repair a tear. However, for a mild to moderate tear, physical therapy can help reduce symptoms and improve functioning, so surgery is not needed.
What to Expect During Physical Therapy
Physical therapy treatment for a hip labral tear starts with an initial evaluation. The therapist will ask questions about symptoms and the impact on activities. The evaluation also includes a physical assessment to evaluate:
- Movement patterns
- Functional mobility
- Balance
- Pain
- And muscle strength.
Once the therapist performs the evaluation, they can identify movement limitations, pain, and functional issues. The physical therapist then develops a treatment plan to address the symptoms. Interventions may include:
Manual therapy techniques: Manual therapy helps improve soft tissue mobility and joint function. The therapist may gently move the client's muscles and joints to enhance the range of motion.
Therapeutic exercises: Therapeutic exercises will focus on the following:
- Strengthening core and hip muscles and supporting muscles to increase hip joint stability.
- Improving flexibility and range of motion, including various stretching exercises that help restore normal movement to the legs, hips, and back.
- Functional movement retraining may include walking, squatting, and balance exercises.
Patient education: Education includes learning proper body mechanics, modifying activities, and self-care strategies to decrease symptoms. It may also help reduce the risk of future injuries.
Sample Exercises for Hip Labral Tears
The exact type of exercises for a hip labral tear may depend on the location of the tear, severity, and other hip conditions present. Not all exercises may be appropriate for everyone, which is why it is essential to consult a physical therapist for a personalized program.
In general, sample exercises may include:
Stretches: Stretching exercises can improve flexibility and restore a normal range of motion. Examples include:
- Kneeling hip flexor stretch to reintroduce hip flexion motion without creating pain in the hip
- Childs pose to stretch the back and hip
Strengthening exercises: Strengthening the muscles around the hip is vital for proper movement and joint stabilization. This includes the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, hip adductors, and abductors. Exercises may include:
- Wall sit to strengthens the gluteal and quadriceps muscles
- Squats to strengthen the gluteus maximus
- Gluteal bridge for hamstring and glute strengthening
Core exercises: A strong core can help improve hip stability. Examples of exercises include:
- Dead bug, which strengthens the core without tilting the pelvis
- Side plank to increase overall core strength
Recovery and Prognosis
The expected timeline for improvement with physical therapy for a hip labral tear is variable. It may take several weeks or longer to see improvement.
Several factors may play a role in how long it takes to see an improvement in symptoms, such as:
- Severity of the tear
- Location of the tear
- Patient's age
- Overall health
- Additional hip injuries or issues
- Compliance with therapy
Adhering to a PT program and following the therapist's instructions and home exercises helps increase the chances of improvement. But even with good adherence to a PT program, additional treatment modalities may be needed, such as:
- Acupuncture
- Joint injections
- Stem cell therapy
How to Choose a Physical Therapist
When choosing a physical therapist, selecting one with experience treating hip labral tears is essential. Finding the right physical therapist for a tear is helpful for optimal recovery and compliance with treatment. Consider the following factors when choosing a therapist:
Credentials and experience
Look for a physical therapist with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. It is beneficial to work with physical therapists who have experience treating athletes or have specialization certifications in sports medicine or orthopedics. Always ask the therapist about their experience treating hip labral tears and their success rates.
Treatment philosophy
Ask the physical therapist about their therapeutic approach to treating hip labral tears. This may include asking what types of treatments they use, such as a manual therapy focus, strengthening focus, or a combination of treatment approaches. If you are an athlete and have specific concerns about returning to your sport, discuss these concerns.
Ensure that their approach and philosophy align with your expectations and preferences. Not every patient and therapist is a good fit. If you don’t feel like you’re on the same page as your physical therapist, you may want to look for another option.
Communication style
It is vital to select a physical therapist with whom you are comfortable discussing your concerns. It is natural to have questions during your treatment. A therapist should explain things clearly and answer questions you have thoroughly.
Clinic environment and amenities
It is also essential to consider location. If a treatment facility is too far away or you have challenges with transportation, you might need a different location. Appointment availability is also something to think about. For instance, someone may require weekend or evening appointments. Also, the available access to equipment is a factor to consider. For example, if you are interested in aqua therapy and there is no pool, that may impact your choice.
Conclusion
Physical therapy may be a treatment option for a hip labral tear. In mild to moderate tears, physical therapy may be an alternative to surgical repair. Physical therapy can reduce pain, increase range of motion, and improve and restore normal movement.
If you have symptoms of a hip labral tear, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. The sooner you have a diagnosis, the quicker you can discuss physical therapy as a treatment option and get on the road to recovery.
About the Author
MaryAnn DePietro CRT is a licensed respiratory therapist with over 15 years of clinical experience in critical care, emergency medicine, and pulmonary rehabilitation. She is also an American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer and holds specialty certifications in orthopedics, senior fitness, and weight management. MaryAnn has a degree in Rehabilitation from Penn State University and a degree in respiratory therapy.
In addition to her clinical experience, she has written extensively about all things medical, as well as health, fitness, and aging for various websites, magazines, and newspapers.
About Carex Health Brands
Carex is your one-stop shop for home medical equipment and for products that assist caregivers with providing the best possible support and care for their loved ones. Carex Health Brands has been the branded leader in in-home, self-care medical products for over 35 years. Our goal is to improve the lives of our customers by bring them quality products that bring dignity back to their lives. With our three nationally distributed brands, Carex Health Brands serves national, regional and independent food, drug and mass retailers along with wholesalers, distributors and medical dealers.