Are you suffering from symptoms of Snapping Hip Syndrome?

The Orthopedic Specialists at MD West ONE are able to properly diagnose and treat snapping hip syndrome through both surgical and non-surgical treatments. If you have the following symptoms, you may want to make an appointment with one of our Board Certified Specialists.

• Snapping in the front, back, or side of the leg when moving the hip.
• Tightness in the hip, usually the front or the back.
• Swelling in the hip.
• Weakness in the leg.
• Having a hard time moving the hip, such as when standing from a sitting position.

Meet our MD West ONE's Orthopedic Specialists...

H. Wesley Cheng, MD
Sports Medicine Specialist

George Emodi, MD
Orthopedic Specialist

Brett W. Fischer, MD
Total Joint & Sports Medicine Specialist

Mark Franco, MD
Orthopedic Specialist 

Ajoy K. Jana, MD
Hip & Knee Specialist

Darren Keiser, MD
Orthopedic Specialist

James "Jim" Mantone, MD
Total Joint & Sports Medicine Specialist

T. Kevin O'Malley, MD
Orthopedics, Knee & Sports Medicine

Erik T. Otterberg, MD
Hip & Knee Specialist 

Samuel P. Phillips, MD
Hip & Knee Specialist

Mark Pitner, MD
Orthopedic Specialist 

Jon Uggen, DO, FAAOS
Hip & Knee Specialist

Snapping Hip Syndrome

Snapping hip syndrome is an orthopedic condition in which you hear a popping sound or you feel a snapping sensation in your hip when you walk, get up from a chair, or swing your leg. 

The snapping sensation occurs when a muscle or tendon (the strong tissue that connects muscle to bone) moves over a bony protrusion in your hip.

While the sensation can be annoying, it is usually harmless. In some cases, snapping hip may lead to hip bursitis, a painful swelling of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint.

Anatomy

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint formed where the rounded end of the thighbone (femur) fits into a cup-shaped socket (acetabulum) in the pelvis. The acetabulum is ringed by strong fibrocartilage called the labrum that creates a tight seal and helps to provide stability to the joint.

Encasing the hip are ligaments that surround the joint and hold it together. Over the ligaments are tendons that attach muscles in the buttocks, thighs, and pelvis to the bones. These muscles control hip movement.

Fluid-filled sacs called bursae are located in strategic spots around the hip to provide cushioning and help the muscles move smoothly over the bone.

Description

Snapping hip can occur in different areas of the hip where tendons and muscles slide over knobs in the hip bones.

Outside of the hip. The most common site of snapping hip is at the outer side where the iliotibial band passes over the portion of the thighbone known as the greater trochanter. When the hip is straight, the iliotibial band is behind the trochanter. When the hip bends, the band moves over the trochanter so that it is in front of it. The iliotibial band is always tight, like a stretched rubber band. Because the trochanter juts out slightly, the movement of the band across it creates the snap you hear. Eventually, snapping hip may lead to hip bursitis. Bursitis is thickening and inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that allows the muscle to move smoothly over bone.

Front of the hip

Another tendon that could cause a snapping hip runs from the front of the thigh up to the pelvis (rectus femoris tendon). Snapping of the rectus femoris tendon is felt in the front of the hip. As you bend the hip, the tendon shifts across the head of the thighbone, and when you straighten the hip, the tendon moves back to the side of the thighbone. This back-and-forth motion across the head of the thighbone causes the snapping.  In addition to the rectus femoris tendon at the front of the hip, the iliopsoas tendon can catch on bony prominences at the front of the pelvis bone.

Back of the hip

Snapping in the back of the hip can involve the hamstring tendon. This tendon attaches to the sitting bone, called the ischial tuberosity. When it moves across the ischial tuberosity, the tendon may catch, causing a snapping sensation in the buttock region. This is not as common as other forms of snapping hip

Cartilage problems

The labrum that lines the socket of the hip can tear and cause a snapping sensation. Damaged cartilage can loosen and float in the joint causing the hip to catch or "lock-up." Even though this is not a true snapping hip caused by a muscle outside the joint, some of the symptoms may be similar. Symptoms due to a torn labrum, however, may cause more pain deep in the groin than a typical snapping hip.

What is the cause of Snapping Hip Syndrome?

Snapping hip syndrome is most often the result of tightness in the muscles and tendons surrounding the hip.

People who are involved in sports and activities that require repeated bending at the hip are more likely to experience snapping hip. Dancers are especially vulnerable.

Young athletes are also more likely to have snapping hip syndrome. This is because tightness in the muscle structures of the hip is common during adolescent growth spurts.

Home Remedies

Most people do not see a doctor for snapping hip unless they experience some pain. If the snapping hip bothers you — but not to the point of seeing a doctor — try the following conservative home treatment options:

• Reduce your activity level and apply ice to the affected area.
• Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to reduce discomfort.
• Modify your sport or exercise activities to avoid repetitive movement of the hip. For example, reduce time spent on a bicycle, and swim using your arms only.
• If you are still experiencing discomfort after trying these conservative methods, consult your doctor for professional treatment.

How is Snapping Hip Syndrome Diagnosed?

Medical History and Physical Examination

Your doctor will first determine the exact cause of the snapping by discussing your medical history and symptoms and conducting a physical examination. He or she may ask you where it hurts, what kinds of activities bring on the snapping, whether you can demonstrate the snapping, or whether you have experienced any injury to the hip area.

You may also be asked to stand and move your hip in various directions to reproduce the snapping. Your doctor may even be able to feel the tendon moving as you bend or extend your hip.

Imaging Tests

X-rays provide clear pictures of dense structures, such as bone. Although x-rays of people with snapping hip do not typically show anything abnormal, your doctor may order x-rays or other tests to rule out any problems with the bones or joints.

How is Snapping Hip Syndrome Treated?

Initial treatment typically involves a period of rest and modification of activities. Depending upon the cause of your snapping hip, your doctor may also recommend other conservative treatment options.

Physical Therapy

Your doctor may prescribe exercises like the ones below to stretch and strengthen the musculature surrounding the hip. Guidance from a physical therapist may also be recommended.

Iliotibial band stretch:

• Stand next to a wall for support
• Cross the leg that is closest to the wall behind your other leg.
• Lean your hip toward the wall until you feel a stretch at the outside of your hip. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds.
• Repeat on the opposite side.
• Perform 2 to 3 sets of 4 repetitions on each side.
• Piriformis stretch
• Lie on your back with bent knees and feet flat on the floor.
• Cross the foot of the affected hip over the opposite knee and clasp your hands behind your thigh.
• Pull your thigh toward you until you feel the stretch in your hip and buttocks. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds.
• Repeat on the opposite side.
• Perform 2 to 3 sets of 4 repetitions on each side.

Corticosteroid Injection

If you have hip bursitis, your doctor may recommend an injection of a corticosteroid into the bursa to reduce painful inflammation.

Surgical Treatment

In the rare instances that snapping hip does not respond to conservative treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. The type of surgery will depend on the cause of the snapping hip.

Hip arthroscopy

During hip arthroscopy, your surgeon inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into your hip joint. The camera displays pictures on a video monitor, and your surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments. Because the arthroscope and surgical instruments are thin, the surgeon can use very small incisions (cuts), rather than the larger incision needed for standard, open surgery. Hip arthroscopy is most often used to remove or repair fragments of a torn labrum.

Open procedure

A traditional open surgical incision (several centimeters long) may be required to address the cause of the snapping hip. An open incision can help your surgeon to better see and gain access to the problem in the hip.

Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss with you the best procedure to meet your individual health needs.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF HIP and KNEE SURGEONS

This article has been written and peer-reviewed by the AAHKS Patient and Public Relations Committee and the AAHKS Evidence-Based Medicine Committee.