Snapping Hip Syndrome

The hip joint is a crucial joint of the body that connects the legs with the torso. The joint is protected and stabilized by its various structural components that includes bones, muscles and other soft tissues. The condition of snapping hip syndrome arises when there is a shift in the position of any thick band of connective tissue present in that area. Basically, this tissue works like a cushion to minimize the friction of the bones during hip movements. When there is an overuse of the hip joints then the tissue becomes loose and fails to provide protection to the bones. As a result, a snapping sound comes out every time the muscle or tendon get rubbed against bony structure. This problem is commonly found in ballet dancers. For this reason, it is often referred to as dancer's hip. Other professionals like gymnasts, horse riders, runners, weightlifters, etc. may also develop this problem. People in the age group of 15 to 40 years are mostly affected by it.

Symptoms

The most identifiable symptom is a snapping sound which can be heard when the hip joint is flexed or stretched for moving legs during activities like cycling, walking or kicking. This goes once the activity is stopped. The location of the snapping sensation depends on the connective tissue which has been damaged. In most cases of snapping hip syndrome, the thick, dense tendon named iliotibial band located at the side of the leg gets affected and the snapping occur at the side of the hip. When the iliopsoas located at the front part of the hip joint changes its position, then the popping sound is felt on the frontal hip region. Based on the position of the affected joint structure, snapping hip syndrome is classified into two different types. They are: intra-articular which means inside joint and extra-articular which means outside joints.

Initially, it does not give any painful symptoms. However, with passage of time, as the connective tissue start wearing out, one experiences sharp hip pain along with the snapping. Usually, this pain disappears as soon as the repetitive joint movement is stopped. If this mild condition is left untreated, then the hip joint pain get aggravated and swelling and tenderness can be felt in the area.

Treatment

As long as the syndrome does not give any pain, the condition does not require any treatment. A little bit of correction or modification in the hip joint movements during activities can bring about improvement. However, as soon as it hurts you must stop any such action that tend to aggravate the pain. You have to provide rest to the hip joints as much as possible. If there is swelling, then ice application can reduce the swelling.

Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (or NSAIDs) can give temporary relief to the pain. For a more severe pain and inflammation, doctors administer cortisone injections. As the pain subsides, doctors recommend physical therapy. A physical therapist will suggest some exercises which involves mild stretching of the affected tendons. Standing side bends and crossed leg side bends are some of them. Deep tissue massage of thigh and buttock muscles is also effective for pain relief. In some serious cases, where the tissue is badly damaged, these conservative methods of treatment does not yield any results. Therefore, surgery has to be conducted. During surgical operation, a small incision is made in the hip area and the damage is repaired.

Those who are at the risk of developing snapping hip syndrome can prevent it with the help of suitable hip exercises. They are mainly some hip stretches that makes the muscles of the area strong and flexible. These hip flexibility exercises should be performed prior to any strenuous activity involving the hips. Thus the chances of displacement of the tissues because of abrupt hip movements is lowered to a great extent.