Symptoms usually occur when the hip is changing position. If the labrum tears, it is usually because of an underlying anatomic abnormality of the hip.

Much less commonly, a twisting injury or injuries can tear the labrum. Since a torn labrum not only causes pain and instability but also disturbs the mechanical function of the hip in its own right and predisposes to arthritis, a symptomatic labral tear is an indication for treatment both to prevent arthritis and to improve symptoms.

Though hip arthroscopy usually can allow symptom-relieving trimming of the torn labrum in a minimally invasive way, if the torn labrum occurred because of an underlying anatomic abnormality in the hip, it is usually advisable to correct the underlying anatomic hip abnormality first.

Developmental hip abnormalities predisposing to labral tears include hip dysplasia, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease , and Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis .

Hip arthroscopy is highly successful in relieving symptoms and improving hip function in hips as long as anatomic problem around the hip either are not present or have corrected prior to the arthroscopy.