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Labral Tear
A labral tear is an injury to the labrum, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the shoulder (glenoid) or hip (acetabulum) joint. In the shoulder, the labrum helps stabilize the ball-and-socket joint by deepening the socket and providing a cushion for the head of the upper arm bone (humerus). Similarly, in the hip, the labrum stabilizes the hip joint and allows for smooth movement.
A labral tear can result from acute trauma (such as a fall or sports injury) or repetitive movements (such as throwing or overhead motions). Symptoms of a labral tear include pain, a catching or locking sensation in the joint, weakness, instability, and a reduced range of motion.
Labral tears are classified into different types depending on the location and severity, such as SLAP (superior labrum anterior to posterior) tears in the shoulder or acetabular labral tears in the hip. Treatment may involve physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or surgery in more severe cases to repair or remove the damaged part of the labrum.
Common Symptoms
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Shoulder or hip pain, especially during movement
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A catching, locking, or clicking sensation in the joint
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Joint instability or the feeling that the shoulder or hip might "give out"
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Reduced range of motion in the shoulder or hip
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Weakness in the affected arm or leg
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Pain that worsens with specific activities, such as overhead movements in the shoulder or twisting in the hip
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Swelling or tenderness around the joint
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Stiffness in the joint, especially after periods of rest
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Difficulty lifting or rotating the arm (shoulder labral tear)
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Pain when sitting for long periods or performing activities like running or squatting (hip labral tear)

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