Snapping Hip

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.

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.

Although snapping hip is usually painless and harmless, the sensation can be annoying. In some cases, snapping hip leads to bursitis, a painful swelling of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint.

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.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Physical Therapy
Your doctor may prescribe exercises 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 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 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 television screen, 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 orthopaedic surgeon will discuss with you the best procedure to meet your individual health needs.