Musculoskeletal Condition · Glastonbury, CT
Hip labral tears causing groin pain, clicking or catching: whole-joint evaluation and non-surgical options with Dr. Paul Tortland, DO in Glastonbury, CT.
Condition
A tear in the cartilage rim of the hip socket that can cause groin pain, clicking, catching, or pain with pivoting and prolonged sitting. It often occurs alongside hip impingement or early arthritis, so evaluation looks at the whole joint; rehabilitation comes first, and large or mechanical tears may need surgical evaluation.
Explore related conditions: Browse the Hip condition hub for related diagnoses and treatment options.
CARE OPTIONS
Dr. Tortland’s potential treatment options: Dr. Tortland reviews symptoms and imaging to see whether the labral finding is likely causing pain or is incidental. In selected cases, he may discuss PRP treatment or cellular orthobiologics (BMAC/MFAT) for a related joint problem, but these treatments do not reliably heal every labral tear and should not be presented as a guaranteed alternative to surgery.
Physical therapy and traditional care: Physical therapy may focus on hip strength, pelvic control, movement mechanics, and modifying deep flexion or pivoting that triggers symptoms. Activity changes and appropriate pain relief may help while the diagnosis is clarified.
When other care may be needed: Persistent catching, locking, or activity-limiting pain may warrant hip-specialist review. The decision between ongoing conservative care and surgery depends on symptoms, hip structure, and response to rehabilitation.
Common questions
Labral tears can result from hip impingement (extra bone shape that pinches the labrum), repetitive pivoting or twisting, a traumatic injury, or gradual degeneration. They often occur alongside early arthritis.
Symptoms may include groin or front-of-hip pain, clicking or catching, stiffness, and pain with pivoting, deep bending or prolonged sitting. Some labral tears cause few symptoms, so imaging findings must be compared with the exam before the tear is treated as the pain source.
Non-surgical options usually begin with physical therapy for hip and core strength, movement mechanics and activity modification, plus medication for flares when safe. Treatment goals are to reduce irritation and improve function. Persistent mechanical symptoms may warrant hip-specialist review.
Dr. Tortland evaluates the whole joint and may discuss ultrasound-guided injection options, which can include PRP or cellular orthobiologics, depending on findings. Large or mechanical tears may need surgical evaluation.
Dr. Tortland can review your imaging and history to recommend the most appropriate non-surgical path forward.