What causes hips to impinge or labrums to tear?

By: Peter Stamos

If you or your clients are dealing with hip pain, clicking, or limited mobility, there might be a hidden culprit: anterior pelvic tilt (APT).

APT may look like a slight forward tilt in posture, but it can seriously affect hip joint health — and even contribute to hip impingement and labral tears over time.

Here’s how it happens:

 APT causes the femoral head to shift forward in the hip socket, reducing joint clearance.

 That change in alignment makes impingement more likely — especially during squats, lunges, or prolonged sitting.

 Over time, this added stress can wear down the labrum, a crucial cartilage structure in your hip joint.

You might notice symptoms like:

• Groin or front-of-hip pain
• Clicking or locking in the hip
• Decreased range of motion
• An exaggerated lower back arch

What can you do about it?

Strengthen your glutes, hamstrings, and core
Improve pelvic and spinal awareness during daily movement
Adjust your training to avoid excessive hip flexion temporarily
Get assessed by a movement professional

Fixing APT isn’t just about posture — it’s about protecting your hips long-term.