Acetabular labral tear and postpartum hip pain
Authors
Brooks AG, Domb BG
DOI: 10.1097/aog.0b013e31826fbcc8
Objective
To raise awareness of acetabular labral tears causing hip pain in postpartum women and describe surgical treatment outcomes.
Methods
Case series of 10 postpartum women with labral tears confirmed by arthroscopy, treated surgically.
Key Findings
- All patients had symptom onset during pregnancy or delivery.
- Surgery relieved pain within 4 months in all cases.
- Significant improvement in hip function scores after surgery.
Conclusion
Labral tears should be considered in postpartum women with hip pain. Allowing external rotation of the leg during labor may prevent tears. Surgery is effective when nonoperative treatment fails.
What this means for patients
If you have persistent hip pain after childbirth, a tear in the hip cartilage could be the cause, and surgery can help you recover.