The MASH Study Group has had its most recent paper approved for publication in a leading medical journal. This ground-breaking paper explores the connection between labral bruising and successful outcomes following arthroscopic labral surgery. It will be the first stand-alone paper focused on elite functionality outcomes associated with labral bruising.
A Study of Arthroscopic Labral Surgery Outcomes Focused on Labral Bruising Elite Functional Outcomes
Throughout 2025, Dr. Dominic Carreira and his MASH Study Group colleagues conducted an analysis of patient outcomes. The study includes 410 patients who underwent arthroscopic labral surgery across six different and separate leading orthopedic centers in the United States. All patients included in the study responded to a postoperative survey 2-years after their arthroscopic labral surgery. The survey, called the iHOT-12 assessment, quantifies functional outcomes. (iHOT is the International Hip Outcome Tool 12.) The team of surgeons that comprise the MSH Study Group analyzed the survey results and, subsequently, defined elite functional outcomes as a 75th percentile iHOT-12 score.
Labral “Tear” Hides Complexities of Issues
Although commonly referred to as a labral tear, the MASH Study Group has indicated that the use of the word “tear” is an oversimplification of the reality of labral injuries. The MASH Study Group has previously established that labral degeneration, a labral factor, may contribute to worsened outcomes. Labral hyperplasia or hypoplasia, also known as a large or small labrum, are other labral factors that may influence patient outcomes. This new paper detailing outcomes in light of labral bruising builds on the existing literature about labral factors that may contribute to outcomes.
Study Findings re: Labral Bruising
The results of the study indicated that patients with labral bruising at the time of hip arthroscopy have lower odds of achieving elite functional outcomes. However, additional analysis indicated that patients with labral bruising do experience meaningful improvements in symptoms after hip arthroscopy. The study contends that labral bruising should be another factor that should be considered while analyzing patient postoperative success.
Photos of Labral Bruising
About MASH Study Group
The Multicenter Arthroscopy Study of the Hip (MASH) Study Group are board certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeons with a focus on the treatment of hip injuries and hip preservation in the athletic and pre-arthritic population. We practice and teach at some of the leading medical institutions in the world. Learn more about the MASH Study Group on its website at mashstudy.com.
