M: Translate for a smart layman please:

Findings compatible with tear of the anterosuperior acetabular labrum. 3. Mild insertional gluteal tendinopathy with overlying bursal inflammatory signal. No focal bursitis.

G: Sure. Here's a plain-language translation for a smart layperson:

2. There are signs that the upper front part of the hip joint's cartilage ring (called the labrum) may be torn.
3. There's mild irritation where the gluteal tendons attach to the hip bone, along with some inflammation in the nearby fluid-filled sac (bursa). However, there's no clear sign of a major inflamed bursa (no focal bursitis).

In short: a possible small tear in the cartilage of the hip joint, and mild tendon and bursa irritation in the butt/hip area.

M: How about this:

Hi Maarit,

Dr. Mathew has advised that your MRI of the right hip shows mild gluteal tendinopathy. No muscle tears are seen especially no hip flexor strain or tear is seen. The significant abnormality is presence of a labral tear inside the hip joint.

Plan: Treatment of labral tear causing hip impingement are medication, therapy, injection, and arthroscopic surgery. Refer her to therapy. Dr. Mathew has placed a physical therapy order. You may call 630.933.1500 to schedule PT within Northwestern Medicine.

She has also offered a right intra-articular hip injection under ultrasound guidance if you would like to proceed with the injection for pain relief. Please let us know if you would like to proceed with a hip injection.

If a course of therapy and injection fails to give her lasting relief, she will be referred to a hip surgeon.

Erika, RN

G: Here’s a clear, layperson-friendly version of that message:

Hi Maarit,

Dr. Mathew reviewed your right hip MRI. It shows mild irritation in the gluteal tendons (the muscles in your butt/hip area), but no muscle tears—specifically, there's no strain or tear in your hip flexors. The main finding is a tear in the cartilage (labrum) inside the hip joint.

What this means:
This kind of tear can cause hip impingement—when parts of the hip joint rub together and cause pain.

Next steps:

Physical Therapy: Dr. Mathew has ordered physical therapy to help manage the pain and improve hip function. You can call 630.933.1500 to schedule therapy at Northwestern Medicine.
Optional Injection: If needed, you can also get a hip injection (guided by ultrasound) to reduce pain. Let us know if you'd like to move forward with that.

If therapy and the injection don’t give you lasting relief, Dr. Mathew will refer you to a hip surgeon to explore further options.

Best,
Erika, RN

Let me know if you want a more formal or more casual version.

M: What about:

Intramural/subserosal uterine fibroids

G: Here’s a layperson-friendly version:

Intramural/subserosal uterine fibroids means:

You have non-cancerous growths (fibroids) in your uterus.

Intramural means the fibroids are growing within the muscular wall of the uterus.
Subserosal means some are growing on the outer surface of the uterus.

These types of fibroids can cause symptoms like pelvic pressure, heavy periods, or no symptoms at all, depending on their size and location.