Acetabular Labral Tears in the Dancer a Literature Review

Abstract

Acetabular labral tears are recognized as a source of hip pain in the general, athletic and dance populations. The complicated, often end-range movement patterns required of dancers make them especially susceptible to hip injury. Labral tears at the hip can significantly impact the success of a dancer's career. Currently there is little research regarding acetabular labral tears in the dance population. This literature review highlights current knowledge of labral structure and function, the epidemiology and etiology of tears, and conservative and surgical treatment. According to the literature, labral tears are found most often in the anterior quadrant of the labrum. Both traumatic and nontraumatic mechanisms of injury are reported, of either minimal or significant severity. Physical therapy tests have poor specificity to diagnose labral tears. The majority of reviewed studies show positive outcomes post arthroscopy in the general population and in athletes. Further research is necessary to investigate optimum rehabilitation and long-term outcomes of conservative and surgical treatment for the dance population.