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Alternative to hip labrum surgery
Regenexx for hip lip tears
frequently asked questions
frequently asked questions
What can cause a labral tear?
Are hip tendon injuries always painful?
How does a labrum tear at the hip feel?
Can hip lip tears be treated without surgery?
If you've been told that a labral tear is causing your hip pain and surgical repair is your only solution, we encourage you to consider all of your options. And these options go beyond hip labrum surgery.
At Regenexx, we successfully treat hip-labrum injuries without surgery. Whether a hip lip tear results from an acute injury or a degenerative condition, interventional orthopedic procedures can relieve pain and help your body use its own abilities to heal hip lip tears without surgery, resulting in shorter recovery times and fewer potential complications . than invasive hip surgery.
Regenexx-SD | Operation | |
---|---|---|
return to everyday life | 2 to 5 days | 6+ weeks |
Back to sports | 3 to 6 months | 1 again |
recreation | Leash, up to 6 weeks PT | Crutches, support, extended, non-driving, 3 to 6 months PT |
pain management | Mostly over-the-counter painkillers (days) | Painkillers prescribed for weeks (weeks) |
general anesthetic | NO | Sim |
Keep your hip lip | Sim | NO |
What are the risks of hip labrum surgery?
Unfortunately, hip labrum surgery is often unsuccessful. In fact, in a 2014 study, 45% of patients who underwent arthroscopic hip surgery for labral tears had poor outcomes, on average, just five years after surgery.1
Orthopedists may not tell you this, but surgically "cleaning" a labrum tear involves removing part of the labrum, which can lead to degeneration and osteoarthritis in the joint.
How to RegenexxWork?
At Regenexx, we have invented a new approach to orthopedic care that we call Interventional Orthopedics. This minimally invasive hip replacement alternative involves using image-guided technology to precisely inject your ownbone marrow concentrate- with stem cells - right where they are needed to repair damaged tissue in the hip joint structure.2-3
The cells in the bone marrow concentrate work at the site of injury to encourage the growth of new, healthy tissue that helps stabilize the hip joint for better function and mobility.4
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See How Regenexx Helped Ryan Play Division I College Football Again With His Ripped Lip.
Note: Like all medical procedures, Regenexx procedures have success and failure rates. Not all patients have the same results.
Regenexx procedure for hip tendon tears
During consultations, Regenexx doctors examine your body in motion and can use ultrasound to see the inner workings of your hip in real time. This gives them a more accurate picture of what is contributing to your pain, how it is affecting function, and what is causing the problem.
After the assessment, your doctor will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Our treatments include:
Regenexx-SD:a proprietary protocol using bone marrow concentrate containing stem cells
Regenexx-SCP:a proprietary formulation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that is more concentrated than a simple bed centrifuge can produce
Regenexx-PL:Platelet lysate, which is a highly specialized derivative of platelet rich plasma (PRP).
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BEFORE and AFTER the operationmagnetic resonance imaging
View the results of a patient who chose a Regenexx procedure over surgery.
Scroll right to view the pre-treatment hip MRI and scroll left to view the result. The BEFORE image shows a torn labrum (the triangular space inside the yellow dashed circle). After treatment, the area visible in the AFTER image is almost uniformly dark, indicating no injury or significant improvement in injury.
Patient 1 MRT
Patient 2 MRT
Webinar: Treatment of hip labral tears without surgery

Join Regenexx Founder Chris Centeno, M.D. to learn how Regenexx procedures can help treat hip pain without surgery and with faster recovery.
In this free webinar you will learn:
- How bone marrow concentrate and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) procedures compare to surgery and other treatment options for hip pain
- Expectations of the Regenexx process
- Answers to the most common questions about regenerative medicine treatments
frequently asked questions
The hip labrum is a cartilaginous lip that surrounds the socket (acetabulum) in the pelvis and helps protect and stabilize the femoral head in the hip joint.
Hip labrum tears can be caused by:
- Structural problems:Conditions that cause abnormal movement of the hip can lead to hip labrum tears. Infemoroacetabuläres Impingement(FAI) the femoral head does not fit properly in the socket and can cause long-lasting groin pain and restricted movement. FAI can affect people of all ages and is the most common cause of a hip labral tear. If left untreated, osteoarthritis can occur.
- Wound:hip traumaIt can lead to a labral tear of the hip and is particularly common in people who play certain high-movement sports, such as ice hockey, soccer, and golf.
- Degenerative Arthrose:arthrosisIt is a chronic degeneration of the cartilage between the joints. As cartilaginous structures such as the labrum erode over time, they become more prone to tearing. Age and obesity can increase a person's risk of developing osteoarthritis.
No, labral tears can occur whether hip pain is present or not. In fact, many hip labrum injuries cause no signs or symptoms. If pain occurs, it's probably due to another problem, such as B. a dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint (sacroiliac joint), pinched nerves in the lower back or problems with the muscles, ligaments or tendons of the shoulder girdle.
Occasionally, one or more of the following symptoms may occur with a hip labral tear: a catching, snapping, or locking sensation in the hip joint; hip or groin pain; or stiffness or limited range of motion in the hip joint.
Yes, most hip labrum injuries can be identified with an MRI. They provide good definition for large muscles, labrum and tendon tears, and areas of inflammation.
Find out if you are a Regenexx candidate
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By submitting the form you declare that you have read our and agree to itPrivacy Policy. We may use email, telephone or other electronic means to transmit information about Regenexx.
We are providing you with information to help you decide whether you would like to schedule an examination with a Regenexx doctor.
Insurance generally covers examinations and diagnostic tests (if recommended). Most insurance plans do not currently cover Regenexx procedures.
references
1. Krych AJ, Kuzma SA, Kovachevich R, Hudgens JL, Stuart MJ, Levy BA. Modest mid-term results after isolated arthroscopic debridement of acetabular labral lesions. Knee Surgery Sports Traumatol Artrosc. 2014;22(4):763-767. doi:10.1007/s00167-014-2872-1
2. Rye CJ. Efficacy and safety of bone marrow concentrate in osteoarthritis of the hip; Results from the treatment registry of 196 patients. J Stem Cell Res Ther 2014;04(10). doi:10.4172/2157-7633.1000242.
3. Friedlis MF, Centeno CJ. Perform better bone marrow aspiration. Phys Med Rehabilitation Clinic N Am. Nov 2016; 27(4):919-939. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2016.06.009. PMID: 27788908.
4. CJ Centeno, J Kisiday, M Freeman, JR. Schultz. Partial regeneration of the human hip by autologous transfer of nucleated cells from bone marrow: a case study. pain doctor. July 2006; 9(3):253-6.
- Torn hip lip and hip osteoarthritis
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Read more on this topic
FAQs
Can you fix a torn hip labrum without surgery? ›
Torn hip labrum may cause pain, reduced range of motion in the hip and a sensation of the hip locking up. Labral tears are typically caused by overuse, traumatic injuries or abnormalities in the shape or alignment of the hip bones. Hip labral tears can be treated with or without surgery.
What is the best treatment for a labral tear in the hip? ›- Activity modification. If you stop doing the things that make your hip hurt, symptoms may improve. ...
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen help reduce inflammation and pain.
- Physical therapy. ...
- Steroid injections. ...
- Biologic injections.
Complications. If a labral tear is left untreated, it will lead to ongoing and worsening pain. A normal labrum is important to the normal function of the hip joint. A torn labrum leads to cartilage damage and eventual arthritis of the hip joint.
Is walking good for a hip labral tear? ›Take a break from any activity, including standing or walking, that may cause pain. If your doctor recommended using a cane or crutches, use them as directed. This can help relieve stress on the hip. Do exercises and stretching as directed by your therapist or doctor.
How long does it take to heal a torn hip labrum without surgery? ›It's also important to follow a physical therapy regimen designed to rebuild your muscles and improve your flexibility. You can expect to make a full recovery within eight to twelve weeks.
What aggravates a hip labral tear? ›Many patients with labral tears describe a constant dull pain with intermittent episodes of sharp pain that worsens with activity. Walking, pivoting, prolonged sitting, and impact activities, such as running, often aggravate symptoms.
Will a hip brace help a torn labrum? ›Background. Patients with FAIS or a labral tear often experience pain in adduction, internal rotation, and flexion. While avoiding these impingement positions may help reduce pain, observation studies of one hip brace failed to find benefit.
What percentage of hip labral tears need surgery? ›Labral Tears After Age 40
8 Almost 20% of these patients ultimately end up having hip replacement surgery within a year and a half of undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery. It is clear that not every individual who has a hip labral tear needs arthroscopic hip surgery.
Non-Surgical Regenerative Orthopedics, including Stem Cell Therapy, PRP, and Prolotherapy are alternative modalities that can repair the injury and abnormal joint motion by stimulating the natural regenerative processes in and around the hip joint.
Can you make a labral hip tear worse? ›If you have a hip labral tear, hip pain or discomfort may get worse when you bend, move or rotate the hip, or exercise or play sports.
How do you prevent hip labral tears from getting worse? ›
Since hip labrum tears are often associated with sports participation, one of the few and best methods of prevention is proper stretching, warm-up, and strengthening of the surrounding muscles.
Will a cortisone shot help a torn hip labrum? ›A shot of cortisone (steroid) will not heal a torn hip labrum. It may relieve pain in the hip for days, weeks, or sometimes months, but it does not have a long-lasting benefit. Some patients may overuse a torn labrum in the hip following pain relief, leading to further damage over time.
Is hip labral tear surgery better than physical therapy? ›Conclusion: Although patients who undergo non-surgical management, such as PT, have shown potential to improve, results indicate that surgical intervention may be preferred over PT for patients over the age of 40 with symptomatic acetabular labral tears and limited radiographic arthritis.
What exercises should I avoid with a torn hip labrum? ›What Should be Avoided with a Hip Labral Tear? Positions of pain such as excessive hip extension, jumping and pivoting should be avoided as it can cause impingement of the hip joint and spasm of the surrounding musculature.
What is the best sleep position for a hip labral tear? ›Having the top and bottom legs slightly separated may help position the top leg in a way that takes stress and strain away from these soft tissues, reducing overall pain. Try sleeping with a pillow between your knees and ankles.
What is the best sleeping position for a torn hip labrum? ›Don't sleep on the side that has the hip labral tear. You will be putting pressure on it, if you do. Instead, sleep on your uninjured side so that the injured side can find relief. That covers the basics of sleeping positions and pain caused by hip labral tears.
What not to do with a torn labrum? ›Your doctor may recommend that you avoid lifting your arm or performing other movements that may irritate the shoulder area. You may also need to avoid anti-inflammatory medications for two to four weeks after an injection.
How do you live with a torn hip labrum? ›- Anti-inflammatory medications. (This is not something we recommend. ...
- Stronger pain medications. ...
- Physical therapy may also be recommended for rehabilitation. ...
- Rest and Ice, recommendations we usually will not suggest to a patient.
Total hip replacement may be recommended if hip osteoarthritis is present in addition to a hip labral tear. A new hip may dramatically improve your quality of life by alleviating pain and restoring function and a full range of motion.
Can I squat with a hip labral tear? ›It's a pretty good rule of thumb that squatting is either not recommended or recommended to be heavily modified for athletes who are having hip labrum issues. This is because of the high degree of hip flexion during the squat - or where the knees come closer to the chest - can cause some major problems in the hip.
Why is a hip labral tear so painful? ›
Why is a labral tear so painful? The labrum contains nerve endings that can stimulate pain fibers, which can cause pain in the hip region.
Is hip labrum repair worth it? ›These repairs can bring back the strength and function of the affected hip joint. And since a successful surgery also alleviates the pain, you'll be able to move more freely and do the things you did before the pain and tightness limited your movements.
Can physical therapy fix a torn hip labrum? ›Once torn, the labral tissue in the hip cannot heal on its own. There are surgical procedures to remove or repair torn labral tissue; however, treatment for a labral tear often begins with a course of physical therapy.
Is a heating pad good for a torn labrum? ›Hot & Cold Application
A hip labral tear can hurt! Applying cold and heat can help soothe that pain making daily activities more bearable. Cold therapy with the use of an ice pack or another source works by numbing pain and reducing swelling.
Candidates typically have FAI, a labral tear (which may or may not be related to FAI), hip dysplasia, loose bodies in the hip area, or another condition that leads to hip pain and loss of function. Candidates for hip arthroscopy range in age from late teens to people in their 50's and 60's.
Does a hip labral tear hurt all the time? ›Labral tear pain typically rises as your activity levels increase, just as it usually subsides with an extended period of rest. Because no amount of rest can heal a labral tear completely, the pain is bound to return as soon as you resume your normal pattern and level of activity.
Do hip labral tears show up on MRI? ›Imaging scans
They can check for arthritis and for structural problems. A magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) can provide detailed images of your hip's soft tissues. MRA combines MRI technology with a contrast material injected into the hip joint space to make a labral tear easier to see.
Can a Labral Tear Heal on Its Own? Yes, a labral tear can heal on its own without surgery. For non-athletes, treatment can often be anti-inflammatory medication, injections, and physical therapy. If you are an athlete looking to get back on the field, your best option will be surgery.
Does walking hurt a labral tear? ›A tear to the labrum can cause pain in the front of the hip, in the groin or side of the hip. The pain usually worsens with walking, pivoting or impact activities such as running. The pain also occurs at night and can be associated with clicking, catching or locking.
What is the special test for hip labral tear? ›Fitzgerald Test.
To test for a posterior labral tear, the PT performs passive extension, abduction, external rotation, from the position of full hip flexion, internal rotation, and adduction while the patient is supine. Tests are considered to be positive with pain reproduction with or without an audible click.
Can a chiropractor help with a torn hip labrum? ›
Yes, our chiropractors can assist in conservative treatment options such as rehabilitative exercises for your hip labral tears. Should surgery be your best option, our physical therapists can provide post surgical rehab.