One of the structures that get the blame for hip pain is the labrum. The labrum is the rubbery tissue that surrounds the socket helping to stabilize the hip joint. This tissue often wears and tears with age. It can also be torn as a result of a trauma or sports-related injury.
The clinical significance of a labral tear of the hip is controversial. We know that in intervertebral disks in the lower back, disk herniation is often between 20-50% of the normal population. In other words, the presence of abnormalities on an MRI is often poorly associated with patient symptoms. The presence of a labral tear of the hip appears to be quite similar.
Studies on Hip Pain
For instance, in a study of 45 volunteers with no history of hip pain, symptoms, injury, or prior surgery. They ranged from 15–66 years old and 60% were males. The average age was 38. MRIs reviewed by three board-certified radiologists revealed a total of 73% of the hips had abnormalities, of which more than two-thirds were labral tears.
Another interesting study found an equal number of labral tears in a group of professional ballet dancers (both with and without hip pain) and in non-dancer control subjects of similar age and gender.
Another study showed that diagnostic blocks failed to offer relief for those with labral tears. A diagnostic
Chiropractors train to identify the origins of pain arising from the low back, pelvis, hip, and knee, all of which can mimic or produce hip symptoms. Utilizing information derived from a careful history, examination, imaging, and functional tests, chiropractors can offer a nonsurgical, noninvasive, safe method of managing hip pain.
