The acetabular labrum is a fibrocartilaginous ring attached to the acetabular rim that deepens the hip socket and provides approximately 22 percent additional femoral head coverage. It seals the joint to maintain the hydrostatic fluid pressure that provides lubrication and load distribution, and its suction effect contributes meaningfully to hip joint stability. Labral tears from femoroacetabular impingement, trauma, or dysplasia are a leading cause of hip pain in young active adults.
| Origin | Acetabular rim circumferentially and transverse acetabular ligament |
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| Insertion | Continuous with the articular cartilage of the acetabulum |
| Actions | Deepens the acetabular cup by 22 percent increasing femoral head coverage, seals joint fluid to maintain suction stabilisation, and distributes loads across the articular cartilage |
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Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is the most common cause of labral tears in young adults, where abnormal cam (aspherical femoral head) or pincer (acetabular overcoverage) morphology causes repetitive labral crushing and tearing during hip flexion. The FADIR test (hip flexion, adduction, internal rotation) reproduces impingement pain. Hip arthroscopy for labral repair, debridement, and cam or pincer osteoplasty has rapidly become one of the most common sports medicine procedures.
Fibrocartilage ring tearing from FAI, trauma, or dysplasia producing anterior hip pain reproduced by the FADIR test, managed with hip arthroscopy for labral repair and FAI correction.
