Post-Traumatic Acetabular Labral Tear Following Motor Vehicle Collision

A woman in her 30s developed persistent anterior left hip and groin pain and mechanical catching after a side-impact motor vehicle collision. Initial emergency department radiographs were negative for fracture or dislocation. Ongoing hip flexion-related pain with reduced internal rotation raised suspicion for intra-articular pathology. Magnetic resonance arthrography confirmed a full-thickness anterior acetabular labral tear. Because she also described posterior thigh radiation, lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained and demonstrated annular tearing at L4–L5 and L5–S1 with a left lateral L5–S1 protrusion contacting the exiting left L5 nerve root. After a trial of non-operative management, she underwent hip arthroscopy with labral repair and femoroplasty. At four-month follow-up, she reported meaningful improvement in anterior groin pain, ongoing rehabilitation and return to unrestricted work, with mild residual soreness. This case demonstrates the importance of identifying the dominant pain generator when post-traumatic intra-articular hip pathology and lumbar abnormalities coexist.