Labral Tears: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Labral Tears?
An orthopedic surgeon (a doctor who treats bones and joints) usually treats labral tears. Physical therapists, experts in movement and exercise, often help with recovery. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are labral tears?
The labrum is a ring of cartilage (tough, smooth tissue) around the edge of a joint socket. It sits inside ball-and-socket joints like the shoulder and the hip. The labrum deepens the socket and helps hold the joint steady. It also gives ligaments and tendons a place to attach.
A labral tear is a rip in that ring of cartilage. In the shoulder, the socket is shallow, so the labrum matters a lot for stability. In the hip, the labrum forms a gasket around the socket and improves joint stability.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on where the tear is. They can include:
- Deep pain in the shoulder or hip, often with reaching or overhead moves.
- A feeling that the joint is unstable or about to pop out.
- Catching, locking, popping, or grinding in the joint.
- Less range of motion and less strength.
- Pain at night or during daily tasks.
Symptoms can look like those of other joint injuries. A doctor's exam helps tell them apart.
Causes and who gets it
Labral tears have two main causes: a sudden injury and slow wear.
A sudden injury can include falling on an outstretched arm, a direct blow to the shoulder, a hard pull on the arm, or a shoulder dislocation (when the ball of the joint comes out of the socket). A car crash can also cause a tear.
Repetitive motion can tear the labrum over time. Throwing athletes and weightlifters put repeated stress on the shoulder. In the hip, impingement (extra bone that rubs joint tissue) and dysplasia (a shallow socket) add stress to the labrum. Arthritis and normal wear and tear can also lead to tears. After age 30 to 40, some fraying at the top of the shoulder labrum is a normal part of aging.
How doctors diagnose it
The doctor asks about injuries and which moves hurt. The exam checks motion, strength, and stability of the joint. The doctor may move your arm into positions that stress the labrum.
Imaging tests confirm the tear. X-rays show bone and can reveal fractures or arthritis. MRI scans show soft tissue and can find the tear and its size. Sometimes dye is injected into the joint before the scan to make the tear easier to see. This is called an MRI arthrogram. A CT scan may help plan surgery when there is also a fracture.
Treatment
Many labral tears improve without surgery. Nonsurgical care includes rest, anti-inflammatory medicine, and physical therapy. Therapy builds strength and motion in the muscles around the joint. A shoulder program often runs 3 to 6 months. Corticosteroid injections can also reduce inflammation.
If pain continues or the joint keeps giving way, surgery may help. Surgeons use arthroscopy, a method with small cuts and a tiny camera (an arthroscope) to guide tools. They can repair the labrum or remove the damaged part. Fixing a related problem, like impingement, may be part of the surgery.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room after a major injury, such as a car crash, or if you have sudden, severe pain. Get care right away after a shoulder dislocation. Get checked if a joint clicks, locks, or feels weak. Tears with ongoing pain or chronic instability can be treated with good results.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can examine the joint, order X-rays or an MRI, suggest anti-inflammatory medicine, and refer you to an orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist when needed.
Common questions
Which joints can get labral tears?
The shoulder and the hip can get labral tears. Both are ball-and-socket joints. The labrum is the ring of cartilage around the socket of these joints.
Can a labral tear heal without surgery?
Many tears improve with nonsurgical care like rest, anti-inflammatory medicine, and physical therapy. This care can relieve your symptoms, and it can allow the injured structures to heal. Surgery is considered when pain or instability continues after that.
What is the difference between a SLAP tear and a Bankart lesion?
Both are shoulder labral tears. A SLAP tear is at the top of the socket where the biceps tendon attaches. A Bankart lesion is at the front and bottom of the socket. It usually follows a shoulder dislocation.
How long does physical therapy take?
A shoulder program often runs 3 to 6 months with a qualified physical therapist. It focuses on motion and strength around the joint. It also improves the stability of the shoulder.
Sources
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Shoulder Joint Tear (Glenoid Labrum Tear)
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - SLAP Tears in the Shoulder
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Hip Arthroscopy
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
