You went in for an MRI of your hip or shoulder, and the results came back: “labral tear.” Understandably, that phrase can be alarming. But what does it actually mean for your body, your pain, and your activity level? And more importantly—what should you do next?
At Rise Rehab & Sport Performance here in Denver, we see a lot of athletes and active adults with labral tears. Whether you’re a trail runner, skier, cyclist, or weekend pickleball warrior, this diagnosis can raise a lot of questions. Let’s break it down in clear, practical terms.
What is the Labrum?
The labrum is a ring of fibrocartilage that surrounds the socket of your joint, adding stability and cushioning.
- Shoulder labrum (glenoid labrum): This fibrocartilage rim deepens the shallow socket of the shoulder (the glenoid fossa), helping keep the humeral head (upper arm bone) in place during motion.
- Hip labrum (acetabular labrum): In the hip, the labrum lines the acetabulum (socket), creating a suction seal around the femoral head (ball). This helps stabilize the joint and distribute load forces during activities like walking, running, or squatting.
When the labrum tears, it means this stabilizing ring has sustained damage—either from trauma (like a fall or sports injury) or gradual wear-and-tear over time.
What Does It Mean to Have a Labral Tear on MRI?
Here’s the key: an MRI finding does not always equal a problem that requires surgery.
- Many people in their 30s, 40s, and beyond will show labral changes on MRI—even if they don’t have pain. A 2015 study in Arthroscopy showed that labral abnormalities were present in up to 69% of people without hip pain.
- Pain and function often depend more on strength, mobility, and joint control than the MRI image itself.
So, if your MRI report says “labral tear,” the next step isn’t automatically surgery—it’s figuring out whether that tear is truly driving your symptoms.
Common Symptoms of a Symptomatic Labral Tear
If a labral tear is contributing to your pain, you might experience:
- Hip: deep groin pain, clicking, catching, or stiffness with squatting, pivoting, or running.
- Shoulder: pain with overhead movements, feelings of instability, or clicking when lifting or throwing.
However, these symptoms can overlap with other issues (like muscular weakness, tendinopathy, or joint capsule stiffness), which is why a thorough physical therapy evaluation is crucial.
How Physical Therapy Helps After a Labral Tear Diagnosis
At Rise-RSP, we emphasize movement-first care. Here’s how PT plays a role:
1. Comprehensive Movement Analysis
A skilled physical therapist will analyze how you move—looking at gait, squatting, lunging, or sport-specific mechanics. We assess how your muscles, joints, and nervous system are coordinating.
- Example: A Denver runner with hip pain may have excellent MRI imaging of the tear, but the cause might be weakness in hip stabilizers like the gluteus medius or deep rotators, which increases stress on the labrum during long runs.
2. Strength and Stability Training
We use objective strength testing to identify deficits. For hip labral tears, this often means targeting the posterior chain (glutes, hamstrings) and deep core stabilizers. For the shoulder, it often involves the rotator cuff, scapular stabilizers, and trunk musculature.
Research consistently shows that progressive loading and strengthening can reduce pain and improve function in patients with labral pathology—even without surgery.
3. Mobility and Capsular Work
Joint restrictions can load the labrum excessively. Manual therapy and mobility drills targeting the hip capsule or shoulder capsule can restore normal arthrokinematics (the way the joint surfaces move relative to each other).
4. Load Management and Return to Sport
We’ll help you scale training volume so you can keep moving while reducing joint irritation. For Denver athletes, this might mean modifying hill running, adjusting cycling seat height, or reducing overhead lifting volume temporarily.
5. Education
A key piece is reassurance. Understanding that an MRI finding isn’t a life sentence changes how people approach recovery. Many patients continue high-level activity with proper PT guidance.
Do All Labral Tears Require Surgery?
Not at all.
- Conservative management (physical therapy, strengthening, and load modification) is often successful, especially when symptoms are mild to moderate.
- Surgery may be considered if:
- Pain is severe and persistent despite months of conservative care.
- There’s significant mechanical catching/locking.
- You’re a high-level athlete with instability that limits competition.
Even then, PT is still essential before and after surgery to optimize outcomes.
What To Do If You’re in Denver and Just Got an MRI Report
- Don’t panic. A labral tear doesn’t automatically mean surgery or the end of your favorite activities.
- Schedule a PT evaluation. Physical therapists are movement experts who can identify whether your pain is actually coming from the labrum, or if it’s secondary to strength and mobility deficits.
- Stay active—strategically. Completely resting the joint often leads to stiffness and weakness. Guided activity keeps you healthier long-term.
- Get a personalized plan. Every labral tear (and every body) is unique. A tailored program matters more than the MRI image.
Final Thoughts
An MRI that shows a labral tear can feel daunting, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Many people in Denver and beyond continue to hike, ski, lift, and play sports with labral findings—especially with the right physical therapy approach.
At Rise Rehab & Sport Performance, our priority is keeping active people active. If you’ve just been told you have a labral tear, we’ll help you sort through the noise, find the real drivers of your symptoms, and build a clear path forward.
Call to Action: Have you been told you have a hip or shoulder labral tear? Schedule a free 20-minute consultation with our Denver physical therapy team today—we’ll help you figure out your next steps.