Snapping Hip Syndrome
Hip Anatomy
The hip is an important joint that helps us walk, run and jump. The ball-and-socket joint in the hip is formed between the round end of the femur (thighbone) and the cup-shaped socket of the acetabulum (part of the hip bone). Joint stability in the hip region is achieved through the labrum (a strong fibrous cartilage), which covers the acetabulum and seals it, and ligaments (tissue connecting bone to bone) and tendons (tissue connecting muscle to bone) that encase the hip and control the hip movements.
What is Snapping Hip Syndrome?
Snapping hip syndrome is a condition in which you hear or feel a snapping sound in the hip while swinging your legs, running, walking or while getting up from the chair.
Symptoms of Snapping Hip Syndrome
Movement of the muscles or tendons over a bony protrusion in the hip region gives rise to the snapping sound, which can occur in the back, front or side of the hip. It is usually painless and harmless, but may be accompanied with pain and weakness. People who are involved in sports or dance where they must repeatedly bend are most vulnerable and it may affect their performance. Sometimes, the syndrome can lead to bursitis, a painful swelling of the fluid-filled sacs called bursae that cushion the hip joint.
Causes of Snapping Hip Syndrome
The most common cause of snapping hip syndrome is tightness in the muscles and tendons surrounding the hip. Sometimes, a loose piece of cartilage or, a cartilage tear can lead to the snapping sound. Patients who have had a hip replacement can also develop snapping of a tendon over the hip replacement components leading to anterior hip pain.
Diagnosis of Snapping Hip Syndrome
We will discuss your medical history and symptoms with you, and will conduct a physical examination to detect the exact cause of snapping. You may be asked to reproduce the snapping sound by moving your hip in different directions. Imaging tests may be ordered to rule out bone and joint problems.
Treatments for Snapping Hip Syndrome
Rest and modification of activities may be suggested initially followed by conservative therapeutic options. The therapeutic strategies for snapping hip include:
Home Care for Snapping Hip Syndrome
A few home remedies can be followed if you experience minor snapping hip pain, which include:
- Applying ice to the affected area
- Using NSAIDs to reduce discomfort
- Avoiding repetitive hip movements by changing your activities
Consult your doctor if the discomfort persists even after following the home remedies.
Physical Therapy for Snapping Hip Syndrome
Therapy can teach you certain exercises to strengthen and stretch the musculature surrounding the hip. Tendon stretching exercises such as iliotibial band stretch and piriformis stretch will be indicated depending on the type of snapping you experience.
Corticosteroid Injection for Snapping Hip Syndrome
We may recommend a corticosteroid to be injected into the bursa to reduce the pain and inflammation in the hip joint in case you have hip bursitis.
Surgical Treatment for Snapping Hip Syndrome
Surgery is recommended when conservative approaches do not have an effect in resolving the snapping hip syndrome. The type of surgery will depend on the factors that cause snapping hip. Surgical procedures include:
- Hip arthroscopy: This procedure is usually used to remove the cause of snapping. This can be done also after a hip replacement. Your surgeon will insert an arthroscope (small camera) into your hip joint so that minute surgical instruments can be guided with the help of images displayed on a large screen. Usually 2 incisions measuring 1cm each are used for this procedure.
