Labral Reconstruction of the Hip Provides Moderate Return to Sports for the Treatment of Labral Tears: A Systematic Review
Xinyu Tao, Teddy Cheong, Danyal H. Nawabi, Hamid Rahmatullah Bin Abd Razak, Merrill Lee Jian HuiPurpose
To evaluate the rate of return to sport (RTS) and improvement in patient‐reported outcomes after labral reconstruction in patients with labral tear.
Methods
Major databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to May 2025. Case series or cohort studies assessing outcomes and RTS rates after labral reconstruction were included. Literature retrieval and data extraction were conducted by 2 independent reviewers. Inclusion criteria were published prospective/retrospective studies or case series on patients diagnosed with hip labral tear undergoing labral reconstruction. Exclusion criteria were studies on patients who did not undergo labral reconstruction of the hip and non‐English studies. Data analysis of modified Harris Hip Score, Non‐Arthritic Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score, and Visual Analog Scale was conducted. RTS rates were analyzed.
Results
Eight studies (2 case series, 6 cohort studies) involving 262 patients were included. The mean population age was 33 years, ranging from 10 to 40. Studies had RTS rates ranging from 64% to 88%. Four of these studies reported patients returning to sport at the same or an even higher level of play. Patient‐reported outcomes improved postoperatively. Visual Analog Scale at the latest follow‐up showed an improvement ranging from 2.60 to 4.50, with at least 70% of patients in 2 included studies achieving minimal clinically important difference and substantial clinical benefit. The modified Harris Hip Score improvement at the latest follow‐up ranged from 18.00 to 24.30, with at least 60% of patients in included studies achieving minimal clinically important difference. Non‐Arthritic Hip Score improvement at the latest follow‐up ranged from 15.50 to 25.70, with 70% of participants in 1 study achieving minimal clinically important difference. Hip Outcome Score improvement at the latest follow‐up ranged from 25.10 to 35.50. Three studies reported revision surgery rates ranging from 3.4% to 10%.
Conclusions
Current evidence suggests that labral reconstruction for the treatment of hip labral tears is an effective option producing good RTS rates ranging from 60% to 80% and improvements in patient‐reported outcomes.
Level of Evidence
Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.