Labral Tear of the Hip and Shoulder N071
Current RMA Instruments
| 33 of 2026 | |
| 34 of 2026 |
Changes from previous Instruments:
ICD Coding:
- ICD-10-AM Codes: S73.18, S43.7
Brief description
Labral tear of the hip and shoulder is an injury involving tearing of the fibrocartilaginous rim (labrum) of the hip or shoulder joint, in the presence of relevant symptoms and corresponding clinical signs.
The SOP applies to:
- acetabular labral tears of the hip joint and
- glenoid labral tears of the shoulder joint
Hip labral tears commonly present with groin pain which may radiate to the outer thigh. Shoulder labral tears commonly cause anterior or superior shoulder pain which may radiate down the arm. Associated symptoms and clinical signs may include joint instability, reduced range of motion, weakness, clicking or locking.
For the purposes of this SOP, labral tear excludes:
- degenerative tears associated with osteoarthritis of the relevant joint; and
- acetabular labral tears associated with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.
Confirming the diagnosis
The diagnosis is made clinically, together with imaging or arthroscopic findings consistent with labral tearing.
Diagnostic assessment may include MRI/CT arthrography/arthroscopy and physical examination findings reproducing the patient’s typical pain.
Clinical manifestations attributable to the labral tear must be present for the diagnosis to be confirmed. Management and confirmation are usually undertaken by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Diagnoses covered by SOP
- Acetabular labral tears of the hip joint
- Glenoid labral tears of the shoulder joint
- Shoulder Bankart lesion (involves detachment of the glenoid labrum and is commonly associated with shoulder dislocation)
- "Bony" Bankart lesion (labral tear with an associated fracture of the glenoid)
- Shoulder SLAP Lesion (Superior Labral tear from Anterior to Posterior)
- Traumatic Labral Tear
Conditions not covered by SOP
- Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder *
- Acute traumatic chondral defect of the hip or glenohumeral joint * - Acute articular cartilage tear SOP
- Congenital/ developmental hip dysplasia (Cam or Pincer morphology) * - Femoroacetabular impingement SOP
- Degenerative labral tear of the hip or shoulder - See comments
- Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome *
- Osteoarthritis *
- Rotator cuff syndrome *
- Hill-Sachs Lesion * - Fracture SOP - Bony defect of the humeral head associated with shoulder dislocation
* another SOP applies - the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset
Clinical onset generally corresponds to the time when symptoms attributable to the labral tear first become clinically evident. Symptoms will often predate imaging confirmation of labral pathology. In cases involving acute trauma, clinical onset will usually occur at the time of the injury.
Clinical worsening
Labral tear of the hip or shoulder typically does not heal without treatment and may progress over time. Clinical worsening may be indicated by increasing pain, instability, reduced joint mobility, worsening mechanical symptoms, or progression requiring surgical management. Progressive articular cartilage damage and subsequent osteoarthritis may occur in some cases. Adverse outcomes may also occur where there is inability to obtain timely and appropriate clinical management.
Comments
For an acute labral tear occurring in conjunction with an acute dislocation injury, the labral tear may be determined using this SOP or considered a component of the dislocation and determined using the dislocation SOP- i.e 'Right shoulder dislocation with labral tear.'
This SOP does not cover degenerative labral tears. A degenerative labral tear may be an integral component of osteoarthritis or femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, or it may be an incidental finding on imaging (MRI) that is not of clinical significance. A degenerative labral tear should generally not be diagnosed as a stand‑alone condition.
In the circumstance where a degenerative labral tear is assessed as clinically significant by an orthopaedic surgeon and warrants diagnosis as a stand‑alone condition, it is regarded as a non‑SOP condition.
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/sops-grouped-icd-body-system/h-l/labral-tear-n071-s437s7318
Rulebase for labral tear
<h5><strong>Current RMA Instruments</strong></h5><table class="table" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"><tbody><tr><td><address><p><a href="https://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2026/033.pdf" target="_blank">Reasonable Hypothesis SOP</a></p></address></td><td>33 of 2026</td></tr><tr><td><address><p><a href="https://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2026/034.pdf" target="_blank">Balance of Probabilities SOP</a></p></address></td><td>34 of 2026 </td></tr></tbody></table><h5><strong>Changes from previous Instruments:</strong></h5><drupal-media data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="6c758746-2182-44aa-9da1-f705eedf4bb3"> </drupal-media><h5> </h5><h5><strong>ICD Coding:</strong></h5><ul><li>ICD-10-AM Codes: <span>S73.18, S43.7</span></li></ul><h5><strong>Brief description</strong></h5><p>Labral tear of the hip and shoulder is an injury involving tearing of the fibrocartilaginous rim (labrum) of the hip or shoulder joint, in the presence of relevant symptoms and corresponding clinical signs.</p><p>The SOP applies to:</p><ul><li>acetabular labral tears of the hip joint and</li><li>glenoid labral tears of the shoulder joint</li></ul><p>Hip labral tears commonly present with groin pain which may radiate to the outer thigh. Shoulder labral tears commonly cause anterior or superior shoulder pain which may radiate down the arm. Associated symptoms and clinical signs may include joint instability, reduced range of motion, weakness, clicking or locking.</p><p>For the purposes of this SOP, labral tear excludes:</p><ul><li>degenerative tears associated with osteoarthritis of the relevant joint; and</li><li>acetabular labral tears associated with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.</li></ul><h5><strong>Confirming the diagnosis</strong></h5><p>The diagnosis is made clinically, together with imaging or arthroscopic findings consistent with labral tearing.</p><p>Diagnostic assessment may include MRI/CT arthrography/arthroscopy and physical examination findings reproducing the patient’s typical pain.</p><p>Clinical manifestations attributable to the labral tear must be present for the diagnosis to be confirmed. Management and confirmation are usually undertaken by an orthopaedic surgeon.</p><h5><strong>Diagnoses covered by SOP</strong></h5><ul><li>Acetabular labral tears of the hip joint</li><li>Glenoid labral tears of the shoulder joint</li><li>Shoulder Bankart lesion (involves detachment of the glenoid labrum and is commonly associated with shoulder dislocation)</li><li>"Bony" Bankart lesion (labral tear with an associated fracture of the glenoid)</li><li>Shoulder SLAP Lesion (Superior Labral tear from Anterior to Posterior)</li><li>Traumatic Labral Tear</li></ul><h5><strong>Conditions not covered by SOP</strong></h5><ul><li>Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder *</li><li>Acute traumatic chondral defect of the hip or glenohumeral joint * - Acute articular cartilage tear SOP</li><li>Congenital/ developmental hip dysplasia (Cam or Pincer morphology) * - Femoroacetabular impingement SOP</li><li>Degenerative labral tear of the hip or shoulder - See comments</li><li>Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome *</li><li>Osteoarthritis *</li><li>Rotator cuff syndrome *</li><li>Hill-Sachs Lesion * - Fracture SOP - Bony defect of the humeral head associated with shoulder dislocation</li></ul><p>* another SOP applies - the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified</p><p># non-SOP condition</p><h5><strong>Clinical onset</strong></h5><p>Clinical onset generally corresponds to the time when symptoms attributable to the labral tear first become clinically evident. Symptoms will often predate imaging confirmation of labral pathology. In cases involving acute trauma, clinical onset will usually occur at the time of the injury.</p><h5><strong>Clinical worsening</strong></h5><p>Labral tear of the hip or shoulder typically does not heal without treatment and may progress over time. Clinical worsening may be indicated by increasing pain, instability, reduced joint mobility, worsening mechanical symptoms, or progression requiring surgical management. Progressive articular cartilage damage and subsequent osteoarthritis may occur in some cases. Adverse outcomes may also occur where there is inability to obtain timely and appropriate clinical management.</p><h5><strong>Comments</strong></h5><p>For an acute labral tear occurring in conjunction with an acute dislocation injury, the labral tear may be determined using this SOP or considered a component of the dislocation and determined using the dislocation SOP- i.e 'Right shoulder dislocation with labral tear.'</p><p>This SOP does not cover degenerative labral tears. A degenerative labral tear may be an integral component of osteoarthritis or femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, or it may be an incidental finding on imaging (MRI) that is not of clinical significance. A degenerative labral tear should generally not be diagnosed as a stand‑alone condition.</p><p>In the circumstance where a degenerative labral tear is assessed as clinically significant by an orthopaedic surgeon and warrants diagnosis as a stand‑alone condition, it is regarded as a non‑SOP condition. </p><p> </p><p> </p>
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/h-l/labral-tear-n071-s437s7318/rulebase-labral-tear
Inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for labral tear
Current RMA Instruments
| 33 of 2026 | |
| 34 of 2026 |
Changes from previous Instruments:
ICD Coding:
- ICD-10-AM Codes: S73.18, S43.7
Brief description
Labral tear of the hip and shoulder is an injury involving tearing of the fibrocartilaginous rim (labrum) of the hip or shoulder joint, in the presence of relevant symptoms and corresponding clinical signs.
The SOP applies to:
- acetabular labral tears of the hip joint and
- glenoid labral tears of the shoulder joint
Hip labral tears commonly present with groin pain which may radiate to the outer thigh. Shoulder labral tears commonly cause anterior or superior shoulder pain which may radiate down the arm. Associated symptoms and clinical signs may include joint instability, reduced range of motion, weakness, clicking or locking.
For the purposes of this SOP, labral tear excludes:
- degenerative tears associated with osteoarthritis of the relevant joint; and
- acetabular labral tears associated with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.
Confirming the diagnosis
The diagnosis is made clinically, together with imaging or arthroscopic findings consistent with labral tearing.
Diagnostic assessment may include MRI/CT arthrography/arthroscopy and physical examination findings reproducing the patient’s typical pain.
Clinical manifestations attributable to the labral tear must be present for the diagnosis to be confirmed. Management and confirmation are usually undertaken by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Diagnoses covered by SOP
- Acetabular labral tears of the hip joint
- Glenoid labral tears of the shoulder joint
- Shoulder Bankart lesion (involves detachment of the glenoid labrum and is commonly associated with shoulder dislocation)
- "Bony" Bankart lesion (labral tear with an associated fracture of the glenoid)
- Shoulder SLAP Lesion (Superior Labral tear from Anterior to Posterior)
- Traumatic Labral Tear
Conditions not covered by SOP
- Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder *
- Acute traumatic chondral defect of the hip or glenohumeral joint * - Acute articular cartilage tear SOP
- Congenital/ developmental hip dysplasia (Cam or Pincer morphology) * - Femoroacetabular impingement SOP
- Degenerative labral tear of the hip or shoulder - See comments
- Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome *
- Osteoarthritis *
- Rotator cuff syndrome *
- Hill-Sachs Lesion * - Fracture SOP - Bony defect of the humeral head associated with shoulder dislocation
* another SOP applies - the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset
Clinical onset generally corresponds to the time when symptoms attributable to the labral tear first become clinically evident. Symptoms will often predate imaging confirmation of labral pathology. In cases involving acute trauma, clinical onset will usually occur at the time of the injury.
Clinical worsening
Labral tear of the hip or shoulder typically does not heal without treatment and may progress over time. Clinical worsening may be indicated by increasing pain, instability, reduced joint mobility, worsening mechanical symptoms, or progression requiring surgical management. Progressive articular cartilage damage and subsequent osteoarthritis may occur in some cases. Adverse outcomes may also occur where there is inability to obtain timely and appropriate clinical management.
Comments
For an acute labral tear occurring in conjunction with an acute dislocation injury, the labral tear may be determined using this SOP or considered a component of the dislocation and determined using the dislocation SOP- i.e 'Right shoulder dislocation with labral tear.'
This SOP does not cover degenerative labral tears. A degenerative labral tear may be an integral component of osteoarthritis or femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, or it may be an incidental finding on imaging (MRI) that is not of clinical significance. A degenerative labral tear should generally not be diagnosed as a stand‑alone condition.
In the circumstance where a degenerative labral tear is assessed as clinically significant by an orthopaedic surgeon and warrants diagnosis as a stand‑alone condition, it is regarded as a non‑SOP condition.
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/h-l/labral-tear-n071-s437s7318/rulebase-labral-tear/inability-obtain-appropriate-clinical-management-labral-tear
Repetitive throwing or overhead motions
Current RMA Instruments
| 33 of 2026 | |
| 34 of 2026 |
Changes from previous Instruments:
ICD Coding:
- ICD-10-AM Codes: S73.18, S43.7
Brief description
Labral tear of the hip and shoulder is an injury involving tearing of the fibrocartilaginous rim (labrum) of the hip or shoulder joint, in the presence of relevant symptoms and corresponding clinical signs.
The SOP applies to:
- acetabular labral tears of the hip joint and
- glenoid labral tears of the shoulder joint
Hip labral tears commonly present with groin pain which may radiate to the outer thigh. Shoulder labral tears commonly cause anterior or superior shoulder pain which may radiate down the arm. Associated symptoms and clinical signs may include joint instability, reduced range of motion, weakness, clicking or locking.
For the purposes of this SOP, labral tear excludes:
- degenerative tears associated with osteoarthritis of the relevant joint; and
- acetabular labral tears associated with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.
Confirming the diagnosis
The diagnosis is made clinically, together with imaging or arthroscopic findings consistent with labral tearing.
Diagnostic assessment may include MRI/CT arthrography/arthroscopy and physical examination findings reproducing the patient’s typical pain.
Clinical manifestations attributable to the labral tear must be present for the diagnosis to be confirmed. Management and confirmation are usually undertaken by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Diagnoses covered by SOP
- Acetabular labral tears of the hip joint
- Glenoid labral tears of the shoulder joint
- Shoulder Bankart lesion (involves detachment of the glenoid labrum and is commonly associated with shoulder dislocation)
- "Bony" Bankart lesion (labral tear with an associated fracture of the glenoid)
- Shoulder SLAP Lesion (Superior Labral tear from Anterior to Posterior)
- Traumatic Labral Tear
Conditions not covered by SOP
- Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder *
- Acute traumatic chondral defect of the hip or glenohumeral joint * - Acute articular cartilage tear SOP
- Congenital/ developmental hip dysplasia (Cam or Pincer morphology) * - Femoroacetabular impingement SOP
- Degenerative labral tear of the hip or shoulder - See comments
- Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome *
- Osteoarthritis *
- Rotator cuff syndrome *
- Hill-Sachs Lesion * - Fracture SOP - Bony defect of the humeral head associated with shoulder dislocation
* another SOP applies - the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset
Clinical onset generally corresponds to the time when symptoms attributable to the labral tear first become clinically evident. Symptoms will often predate imaging confirmation of labral pathology. In cases involving acute trauma, clinical onset will usually occur at the time of the injury.
Clinical worsening
Labral tear of the hip or shoulder typically does not heal without treatment and may progress over time. Clinical worsening may be indicated by increasing pain, instability, reduced joint mobility, worsening mechanical symptoms, or progression requiring surgical management. Progressive articular cartilage damage and subsequent osteoarthritis may occur in some cases. Adverse outcomes may also occur where there is inability to obtain timely and appropriate clinical management.
Comments
For an acute labral tear occurring in conjunction with an acute dislocation injury, the labral tear may be determined using this SOP or considered a component of the dislocation and determined using the dislocation SOP- i.e 'Right shoulder dislocation with labral tear.'
This SOP does not cover degenerative labral tears. A degenerative labral tear may be an integral component of osteoarthritis or femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, or it may be an incidental finding on imaging (MRI) that is not of clinical significance. A degenerative labral tear should generally not be diagnosed as a stand‑alone condition.
In the circumstance where a degenerative labral tear is assessed as clinically significant by an orthopaedic surgeon and warrants diagnosis as a stand‑alone condition, it is regarded as a non‑SOP condition.
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/h-l/labral-tear-n071-s437s7318/rulebase-labral-tear/repetitive-throwing-or-overhead-motions
Significant physical force
Current RMA Instruments
| 33 of 2026 | |
| 34 of 2026 |
Changes from previous Instruments:
ICD Coding:
- ICD-10-AM Codes: S73.18, S43.7
Brief description
Labral tear of the hip and shoulder is an injury involving tearing of the fibrocartilaginous rim (labrum) of the hip or shoulder joint, in the presence of relevant symptoms and corresponding clinical signs.
The SOP applies to:
- acetabular labral tears of the hip joint and
- glenoid labral tears of the shoulder joint
Hip labral tears commonly present with groin pain which may radiate to the outer thigh. Shoulder labral tears commonly cause anterior or superior shoulder pain which may radiate down the arm. Associated symptoms and clinical signs may include joint instability, reduced range of motion, weakness, clicking or locking.
For the purposes of this SOP, labral tear excludes:
- degenerative tears associated with osteoarthritis of the relevant joint; and
- acetabular labral tears associated with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.
Confirming the diagnosis
The diagnosis is made clinically, together with imaging or arthroscopic findings consistent with labral tearing.
Diagnostic assessment may include MRI/CT arthrography/arthroscopy and physical examination findings reproducing the patient’s typical pain.
Clinical manifestations attributable to the labral tear must be present for the diagnosis to be confirmed. Management and confirmation are usually undertaken by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Diagnoses covered by SOP
- Acetabular labral tears of the hip joint
- Glenoid labral tears of the shoulder joint
- Shoulder Bankart lesion (involves detachment of the glenoid labrum and is commonly associated with shoulder dislocation)
- "Bony" Bankart lesion (labral tear with an associated fracture of the glenoid)
- Shoulder SLAP Lesion (Superior Labral tear from Anterior to Posterior)
- Traumatic Labral Tear
Conditions not covered by SOP
- Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder *
- Acute traumatic chondral defect of the hip or glenohumeral joint * - Acute articular cartilage tear SOP
- Congenital/ developmental hip dysplasia (Cam or Pincer morphology) * - Femoroacetabular impingement SOP
- Degenerative labral tear of the hip or shoulder - See comments
- Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome *
- Osteoarthritis *
- Rotator cuff syndrome *
- Hill-Sachs Lesion * - Fracture SOP - Bony defect of the humeral head associated with shoulder dislocation
* another SOP applies - the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset
Clinical onset generally corresponds to the time when symptoms attributable to the labral tear first become clinically evident. Symptoms will often predate imaging confirmation of labral pathology. In cases involving acute trauma, clinical onset will usually occur at the time of the injury.
Clinical worsening
Labral tear of the hip or shoulder typically does not heal without treatment and may progress over time. Clinical worsening may be indicated by increasing pain, instability, reduced joint mobility, worsening mechanical symptoms, or progression requiring surgical management. Progressive articular cartilage damage and subsequent osteoarthritis may occur in some cases. Adverse outcomes may also occur where there is inability to obtain timely and appropriate clinical management.
Comments
For an acute labral tear occurring in conjunction with an acute dislocation injury, the labral tear may be determined using this SOP or considered a component of the dislocation and determined using the dislocation SOP- i.e 'Right shoulder dislocation with labral tear.'
This SOP does not cover degenerative labral tears. A degenerative labral tear may be an integral component of osteoarthritis or femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, or it may be an incidental finding on imaging (MRI) that is not of clinical significance. A degenerative labral tear should generally not be diagnosed as a stand‑alone condition.
In the circumstance where a degenerative labral tear is assessed as clinically significant by an orthopaedic surgeon and warrants diagnosis as a stand‑alone condition, it is regarded as a non‑SOP condition.
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/h-l/labral-tear-n071-s437s7318/rulebase-labral-tear/significant-physical-force