Acetabular labral tear: Arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment

We reviewed the cases of 10 patients with acetabular labral tear diagnosed and treated arthroscopically. The posterior portion of the labrum had a tear lesion in 7 patients, the anterior portion in 4, and the superior portion in 1. A longitudinal tear was found in 8 patients, a degenerative tear in 1, and fibrillation in 1. Eight patients who were treated by arthroscopic partial limbectomy experienced prompt pain relief, and were free of symptoms at the latest follow-up. The remaining 2 patients were treated conservatively but their symptoms did not subside. The following three findings were highly indicative of a torn acetabular labrum in the current study: (1) Pain elicited by internal rotation with the joint flexed 90 degrees, (2) pain elicited by axial compression to the joint flexed 90 degrees and slightly adducted, and (3) tenderness posterior to the greater trochanter. These findings were positive in 7, 10, and 8 patients, respectively. To diagnose acetabular labral tear, these signs and arthroscopy are useful.