Snapping Hip

Snapping hip is a condition where you feel or hear a snapping or popping sensation in your hip when you walk, run, or move your leg.

Snapping Hip

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Snapping Hip: Understanding the Causes and Treatments

Snapping hip is a condition where you feel or hear a snapping or popping sensation in your hip when you walk, run, or move your leg. It is usually caused by tendons or muscles moving over bones in the hip. While it can be painless, some people experience discomfort, swelling, or irritation. Snapping hip is common in dancers, athletes, and active adults, and most cases improve with proper treatment.

Types of Snapping Hip

There are two main types of snapping hip:

External Snapping Hip: The iliotibial (IT) band or gluteal tendon slides over the outer hip bone, producing a snapping sensation on the outside of the hip.
Internal Snapping Hip: The iliopsoas tendon moves over bony structures in the front of the hip, causing a snap or pop in the groin area.

Treatment for Snapping Hip

Most snapping hip cases improve with conservative care, including:

Activity modification to avoid movements that trigger the snap
Stretching and strengthening exercises to improve flexibility and support the hip muscles
Anti-inflammatory medications for pain or swelling
Physical therapy to correct movement patterns and reduce stress on the hip
Corticosteroid injections in cases of persistent pain

Surgery is rarely needed and is usually considered only if symptoms continue despite non-surgical treatment.

Surgical Treatment for Snapping Hip

Surgery for a snapping hip is usually considered only when non-surgical treatments haven’t relieved pain or improved function. It is more common to treat internal snapping hip with surgery when conservative treatments fail, and surgery typically involves lengthening or releasing a tendon. These minimally invasive procedures aim to reduce snapping, relieve pain, and restore smooth hip movement. Recovery typically includes physical therapy to rebuild strength and flexibility.

References

Allen WC, Cope R. Coxa Saltans: The Snapping Hip Revisited. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 1995;3(5):303-308. doi:10.5435/00124635-199509000-00006.

Gruen GS, Scioscia TN, Lowenstein JE. The Surgical Treatment of Internal Snapping Hip. Am J Sports Med. 2002;30(4):607-613. doi:10.1177/03635465020300042201.

El Bitar YF, Stake CE, Dunne KF, Botser IB, Domb BG. Arthroscopic Iliopsoas Fractional Lengthening for Internal Snapping of the Hip: Clinical Outcomes With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(7):1696-1703. doi:10.1177/0363546514531037.