Introduction
A labral injury is a tear caused in the labrum, which is the soft tissue that covers the socket called the acetabulum of the hip and glenoid labrum in the shoulders. This tear can be caused due to an injury, structural problem, or degenerative issue. These cause some symptoms, such as pain and stiffness. This condition can be cured non-surgically, but in severe cases, surgery is required.
What Is Meant by Labral Tear?
The hip and shoulder is structured as a ball-and-socket. The socket is called an acetabulum, and the ball is the femoral head placed at the top of the femur, the leg bone. A hip labral tear is an injury caused in the labrum, a soft tissue. The labrum makes the femoral head move smoothly in the socket. It makes the hip move without any pain or issue. It also acts as a seal, preventing the ball and socket from touching even though placed together.
The meniscus of the knee and the labrum of the shoulder are both composed of fibrous cartilage tissue. Deepening the shoulder socket, the labrum has a triangle cross-sectional form. Moreover, it offers the joint a "suction-cup" action. With regard to these two purposes, it is crucial in giving the shoulder joint some degree of stability.
What Are the Causes of a Labral Tear?
The causes of labral tear are,
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Structural Ailment: Some conditions resulting in abnormal hip movements can also lead to labral injury in femoroacetabular (FAI), where the head of the femoral does not fit into the socket. This improper fit can result in long-term groin pain and limited movements. This is the common cause of labral injury. FAI can affect people of any age; when it is felt untreated, it may result in osteoarthritis.
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Injury: A hip labral tear can also be caused due to any trauma to the hip. This can be seen in people involved in sports with repetitive and high-impact movements, like ice hockey, football, golf, and soccer. Shoulder labral tears are typically the result of trauma or overuse, and they frequently coexist with other shoulder injuries.
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Degenerative Health Condition: Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition of wear down of cartilage that is present between the joints. As cartilage gradually erodes over time, it gets more prone to tearing. Old age and being overweight can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis. People affected by this condition will experience pain in more than one joint.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms Caused by Labral Tear?
The common symptoms are:
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Hip pain and shoulder pain.
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Hip or shoulder stiffness.
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A clicking or locking sound during the movement of the hip and shoulder.
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Feeling unsteady.
When a person is affected by a labral tear, the pain and stiffness may worsen when the person bends, move, or rotate. This condition also worsens during exercise or while playing any sport. In rare cases, hip tears do not cause signs or symptoms.
How Is Labral Injury Diagnosed?
Initially, the doctors perform physical examinations, during which the doctor may insist the patient lift their leg and ask to walk around. The doctors monitor how well the person can move and see if any pain is left while moving. Image testing can also help doctors to rule out labral injury. Some image testing is:
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X-Ray: X-rays can help doctors to find the underlying problems with the hip and shoulder bone, like femoroacetabular impingement or osteoarthritis, which can also cause labral tears.
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MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): MRI reveals more detailed information on soft tissue. It shows where exactly the labral tear is and how severe the injury is.
How Is Labral Injury Managed?
A labral tear will not heal on its own; rest and other measures will help in the healing process and manage symptoms of minor injury. Non-surgical treatments include:
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Anti-inflammatory Medications: Ibuprofen which acts as an over-the-counter medication, can help to decrease inflammation.
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Medication Injection: Doctors can inject steroidal medications into the region, which can help ease the symptoms.
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Physical Therapy: Some physical therapy, such as exercise, can be performed regularly, which helps stretch and strengthen the hip muscle and can help to relieve pain. Physical therapy should be done only after consulting the doctor.
The doctors may recommend surgery if the signs and symptoms persist and the tear is severe. Surgery usually performed to correct labral tear injury is done arthroscopically. This procedure is a minimally invasive surgery where the doctors form a small incision on the hip and use a small miniature instrument for the following steps:
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Refixation or repair is done by switching the torn tissue back.
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Reconstruction is where the damaged tissue is reconfigured by using healthy tissue from other body regions or a donor.
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Debridement is a procedure done to eliminate a small piece of labral tissue.
In case of the presence of FAI, then it will be removed at the same procedure to avoid any further tear of the labrum. This surgery is usually performed outpatient, where the patient returns home on the same day of surgery.
What Is the Outlook on This Condition?
These include,
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Conservative Therapies: Treatment that involves anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy will not help to fix the tear on its own. For some minor tears, they can be a workable option that can reduce the symptoms. Some people require additional treatment.
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Surgery: In most cases, surgery can help to relieve pain and restore hip and shoulder function. Most people who undergo surgery will recover in four to six months and can return to previous physical activity.
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Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, which is a chronic condition, can be managed by doctors to prevent the worsening of the symptoms.
When Should a Person Consult a Doctor?
As hip and joint pain are not life-threatening, these can significantly affect life. Any pain in the hip, shoulder and groin region which does not go away should be consulted with the doctor.
How Can Labral Tears Be Prevented?
If the individual is involved in sports and puts a load of strain on the hip and shoulders, the surrounding muscles should be conditioned with strength and flexibility exercises.
Conclusion
Labral injury is the one which is caused due to any tear in the hip and shoulder tissue that covers the socket. This condition needs to be taken care of as it can drastically affect the person’s life. Minor injuries do not require any treatment. Proper rest and some medication will help. Some significant injuries should be treated through surgery. This condition needs to be treated; if left untreated, it can result in osteoarthritis.
