Causes And Symptoms Of Snapping Hip Syndrome

Snapping hip syndrome is also known as dancer's hip, coxa saltans, and iliopsoas tendinitis. The primary symptom of the ailment is a snapping of the hip joint when the patient extends or flexes it. While the condition is not usually serious for most individuals, it is an occupational hazard for dancers and other athletes, as it often interferes with their ability to perform.

Doctors divide snapping hip syndrome into three categories. The first category, internal snapping hip, develops as a tendon slips over bony structures located at the front of the hip, and patients with this type often experience pain while running and pain that worsens with activity. The second type of this condition, external snapping hip, occurs when either a muscle or a tendon slides over the top of the greater trochanter, located at the top of the femur. Patients with this type may struggle to climb stairs, and they may feel as though their hip is about to snap out of its socket. The third type occurs due to cartilage damage. Patients with this type may have severe and sudden pain, and they typically have a reduced range of motion in the affected hip.

Snapping Or Popping Noise

The presence of a snapping or popping noise occurs in all types of snapping hip syndrome. These noises occur as a tendon or muscle creates tension slides over various parts of the hip. As this tension is released, patients will hear an audible snap, click, or pop. In many cases, the snapping sensation may produce discomfort or pain. Patients who notice this sensation should consult an orthopedist. They will be able to do certain maneuvers that can elicit the snapping, and this will help in determining the cause and potential type of snapping hip syndrome the patient may have.

X-rays and imaging studies may be used to provide further information. To help reduce snapping, patients may need to alter their activity schedule and technique. For example, if a patient notices they are experiencing snapping while running or dancing, attention to technique or learning to perform the same movement using different muscles may help. Consulting a physical therapist, trainer, or sports medicine physician can help patients discover alternative methods of performing required movements.

Pain And Discomfort

Pain and discomfort may be present with this condition, particularly if a patient has had it for many months or if it develops as a result of an accident or injury. For many patients, pain develops gradually over a period of several weeks or months, and it is typically worse during and immediately after exercise. To reduce pain, doctors usually start with conservative methods. For example, applying a warm compress or heating pad to the affected area can sometimes be enough to reduce discomfort.

Alternatively, some patients may find that ice packs help. Rest and the use of over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can also be beneficial. In cases where more pain relief is needed, doctors may recommend the use of corticosteroid injections and physical therapy. For severe symptoms that fail to resolve with conservative treatments, surgery may be considered.

Muscle Or Tendon Movement Over Bony Part Of Hip

Muscle or tendon movement over the bony part of the hip is the cause of the snapping sensation patients experience with this condition. This kind of movement occurs with any motion that involves flexion or extension of the hip. For example, it can occur when a patient is getting up from a chair, walking, running, or swinging their leg around when getting in and out of bed. To minimize tension, patients may need to modify how they perform these movements. An orthopedist or physical therapist can also help patients learn how to perform necessary tasks using their unaffected side.

Specific exercises can be performed to increase strength and stability in the muscles and tendons of the affected hip. For example, patients may wish to try the iliotibial band, hip flexor, or hamstring stretches. Physical therapists can provide individualized guidance on the safest methods for these exercises, and they can also advise on how many repetitions are appropriate.

Loose Or Torn Cartilage

Loose or torn cartilage is a common cause of the third type of snapping hip syndrome that occurs due to a sudden injury. For example, patients may have torn cartilage from a fall. Tears in the cartilage typically result in moderate to severe pain in the groin area, and they may impair a patient's ability to walk. An injury to the patient's articular cartilage, the cartilage that reduces friction by covering the locations where bones meet, is one of the most frequent causes of dancer's hip, and it can occur as a result of an accident or due to arthritis.

Acetabular labral tears, which occur in the cartilage that forms a ring around the hip socket, are estimated to account for up to eighty percent of all diagnosed cases of the intra-articular form of snapping hip syndrome. To repair loose or torn cartilage, orthopedists normally carry out surgery, and this can be done under general anesthesia; in some cases, spinal anesthesia may be used.

Broken Cartilage Or Bone

Broken cartilage or bone can also produce a snapping sensation, typically due to falls and other traumatic injuries. To determine whether a patient has broken cartilage or a hip fracture, x-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, and other imaging studies are needed. To repair broken cartilage or a fracture, surgery is generally recommended. In severe cases, patients may need a hip replacement, and this operation is carried out under general anesthesia. Following surgery, patients typically have several months of physical therapy to regain strength and learn how to use their new hip, and they will also be given pain medication to use at home. Some patients may need to have months of rehabilitation at a specialist facility.