Acetabular labral tears following pregnancy

Acetabular labral tears are usually seen in individuals in whom the hip is exposed to elevated axial and torsional forces. In our experience we have encountered a series of female patients in whom symptom onset was during pregnancy or obstetric labour. We reviewed our patient database to identify all patients who had undergone hip arthroscopy in our hospital. The records of female patients who had a labral tear on arthroscopy and in whom symptom onset was clearly documented to be during pregnancy or labour were identified. We report three cases of acetabular labral tear occurring during pregnancy or labour. This represents 7% of all female patients undergoing hip arthroscopy during a two-year period. Ligamentous laxity and altered cartilage matrix during pregnancy may predispose to acetabular labral injury. Clinicians need to be aware of this possible intra-articular lesion in peripartum patients presenting with hip or buttock pain, and manage appropriately.