The mobility of the shoulder and hip joints depends on a specialized tissue known as the labrum. These are the only ball-and-socket joints in the body, and they both are dependent on muscles, bone, and other soft tissues to function properly. Although the labrum is a small tissue, it is critical to living an active and pain-free life.
What is a labral tear?
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the rim of the socket of a ball-and-socket joint. This rubber-like tissue is necessary for the bones of the hip and shoulder joints to be held in place. A healthy labrum creates the space necessary for a full range of motion. A labral tear results when this ring of cartilage separates or pulls away from the socket.
What does a labral tear feel like?
The type and severity of the injury determine the symptoms. These symptoms include:
Hip
- Intense hip pain (feels deep in the joint)
- Hip pain that radiates into the groin or buttocks
- Joint stiffness
- Limited mobility
- Joint locks
- Instability when standing
Shoulder
- Popping or catching sensation with shoulder movement
- Pain on top of the shoulder
- Shoulder weakness
- Deep, achy pain
The pain caused by a shoulder labral tear is seen particularly with the arm’s overhead or circular movement.
What causes a labral tear?
Most shoulder labral tears are the result of trauma. Falling on the shoulder or falling on an outstretched hand are common reasons. Different sports activities such as the throwing motion of baseball pitchers and overhead presses in weightlifting can tear the shoulder labrum. A golfer can tear the labrum if their club forcefully hits the ground instead of the golf ball. Besides trauma, overuse and repetitive motion of the shoulder joint can result in a tear.
There are many causes of hip labral tears. These include sports injuries, accidents, osteoarthritis, repetitive motions, sudden twisting motions, and inherited structural abnormalities.
Cartilage becomes weaker and loses its integrity over time and can result in labral tears. Your age will be one of the factors your orthopedic specialist takes into account when deciding on the best treatment to repair your joint.
How is a labral tear treated?
A labral tear will not heal on its own. A minor tear can initially be managed with rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. Your orthopedic specialist may also administer medication such as a steroid to ease the symptoms.
With persistent pain or a severe tear, your orthopedic specialist may recommend surgery on your joint. Some surgical cases can be done arthroscopically using small incisions, pencil-sized instruments with an attached lens, and light to magnify the surgery site. This permits the surgeon to be extremely precise in repairing the labrum of the joint.
How can an orthopedic specialist help with a labral tear?
If you have joint symptoms such as pain, stiffness, or clicking noises, you need to see an orthopedic specialist for a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. An accurate diagnosis is critical to eliminating the problem and avoiding more serious long-term issues such as osteoarthritis.
Your orthopedist will conduct a thorough medical history, physical examination and perform all proper tests. Diagnostic testing may include magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasounds, and anesthetic injections.
Pain in the hip or shoulder joints can affect the quality of your life. Don’t delay treatment, as this will only lead to more problems. The solution to your pain begins with a thorough evaluation by an orthopedic specialist at HROSM. Contact us today for an appointment.
