The multifaceted etiology of acetabular labral tears

Acetabular labral tears have been the focus of much attention in recent years. With the increased use of hip arthroscopy and magnetic resonance arthrography, the infrequent labral tear has proved to be more prevalent than previously thought. The majority of labral tears occur due to an underlying anatomic abnormality. Anatomic abnormalities that can lead to labral tears include femoracetabular impingement, acetabular retroversion, abnormal femoral head, Legg Calvé Perthes, slipped capital epiphysis, capsular laxity, and dysplasia of the hip. Tears in the labrum may lead to the advancement of osteoarthritis. Optimal management of a labral tear may involve addressing underlying anatomic abnormalities in addition to the labral tear itself.