Hip Labral Tear and Catching in the Hip

A hip that seems to catch is hard to describe and easy to ignore. When the feeling comes and goes, waiting to see if it settles is the natural reaction.

This article covers what a labral tear is, how it differs from an everyday hip ache and what to tell the person who examines the joint.

What a labral tear is

Cleveland Clinic describes a hip labral tear as an injury to the labrum in the hip joint, a rim of cartilage that lines the hip socket.

The labrum is part of the joint itself, so this is a different question from a pulled muscle nearby.

Where the ordinary version ends

A general guide to hip pain in adults is the place to start if your hip simply aches. A catch is only one clue, so treat it as a reason to write things down and not as a diagnosis.

Reading the wider picture

An overview of hip injuries and disorders sets out related problems. It helps to see the neighbors before settling on one name for your own symptom.

What to tell the examiner

Describe the catch in your own words, when it started and which movements bring it on. Say whether it comes with pain, and whether it has changed since you first noticed it. Specifics like these narrow the search faster than a general complaint.

The practical takeaway

A catch that keeps returning is worth a conversation. The full guide to a labral tear in the hip is a good source to bring along, and your notes are the other thing to bring.