Labral Tears
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the socket of a joint. Its role is to deepen the socket, improve stability, and help distribute force more evenly through the joint. The hip and shoulder joints have labrums, and these can be injured through repetitive injuries or trauma, like falls.
Because the labrum contributes to stability, symptoms can range from a mild ache, to clicking, catching, weakness, or a feeling that the joint is unstable. Barnes commonly sees labral injuries in sporty patients, epecially those who do:
- throwing sports
- weight training
- swimming
- climbing
- contact sports.
However, they can also develop gradually through repetitive strain, or in association with degenerative changes.
Symptoms of Labrum Tears
- deep pain in the joint, may be described as “pinching”
- clicking or clunking sensations
- weakness on motions, especially weight bearing
- joint stiffness or reduced range of movement
- pain when throwing (shoulder) or squatting (hip)
- a feeling that the joint may slip or “catch”
Shoulder Labral Tears
The shoulder is specialised for mobility, which means it relies heavily on tissues like the labrum for stability. The mechanism of injury can involve a movement that takes the joint near its limit, implicating the cartilage. Some tears happen after a clear injury, such as falling onto an outstretched arm or dislocating the shoulder. Others develop more gradually through repetitive overhead loading.
One specific type of labral injury is a SLAP tear, which affects the upper part of the labrum where the biceps tendon attaches. These are particularly associated with repetitive overhead sport.
Not all shoulder clicking indicates a tear. Problems such as frozen shoulder, rotator cuff irritation, or instability can sometimes present similarly, which is why a full assessment matters.
Hip Labral Tears
As with the shoulder, the hip labrum plays a similar stabilising role. Injuries here are commonly associated with repetitive twisting and deep hip flexion. Football, dance, running, and martial arts require movements like these. Sometimes the associated factor is a structural difference in the shape of the hip joint itself.
Hip labral irritation is also associated with mechanical changes elsewhere. Reduced hip movement can alter pelvic mechanics and contribute to lower back pain, gluteal tension, or compensatory movement patterns through the knees.
Osteopathy for Labral Tears
Barnes assesses how the entire mechanical chain is functioning. This means looking towards the upper back for shoulder issues, and into the lower back and leg for the hip. Treatment often includes techniques to improve local joint mobility, reduce local muscle tension. We work to improve quality of movement in joints that may put more demand on the hip or shoulder if they’re not working well.
If symptoms suggest significant instability or persistent mechanical locking, imaging or orthopaedic referral may be appropriate.
Beyond treatment and exercises, we can also advise ways to make your sport more supportive. Fortunately for those who enjoy their exercise, complete rest is rarely the answer. Good rehabilitation focuses on modifying aggravating movements while maintaining as much strength and fitness as possible. This may involve temporarily reducing overhead lifting, changing pressing angles, limiting deep squats, or altering training volume.
Make an appointment here to assess your hip or shoulder in the Bristol area
