Experiencing a “pop” or “clicking” in the hip joint is often something that cannot be ignored. Pain radiating from the hip down the front of the thigh or groin area could be a result of a tear within the hip labrum. The labrum is a small layer of cartilage between the ball and socket of the hip joint that provides cushion and assists in the motion of the hip. An injury common among athletes, extreme compression or quick twisting / wrenching of the hip can cause areas of this cartilage to tear, resulting in severe and intense pain. In the past, invasive surgery was the only option for helping resolve this condition. However, since the hip is a poorly vasculized area, and often does not heal well on its own, surgery can result in less than desirable results.

Recent studies have found that regenerative treatments can be used to heal a labral tear without the risks and recovery time typically associated with surgeries to treat the same condition. New biological treatments, such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cells, activate the body’s natural healing mechanisms to help repair the injured and damaged tissues. PRP is a blood derivative procedure that releases growth factors to the injured area, stimulating tissue repair. Stem Cell therapy contains a sample of concentrated stem cells that have been harvested from the hip and isolated in the on-site laboratory. When injected into the hip, these regenerative therapies adhere to damaged tissues and attract growth factors to begin the repair process. StemCell ARTS, an affiliate of National Spine and Pain Centers, offers a variety of conventional and regenerative therapies to treat labral tears and assist in the restoration of patients’ mobility, while avoiding invasive surgery.