Management of Snapping Hip
What is Snapping Hip Syndrome?
Snapping hip syndrome is a condition in which you hear or feel a snapping sound in the hip while swinging your legs, running, walking or while getting up from the chair. Movement of the muscles or tendons over a bony protrusion in the hip region gives rise to the snapping sound, which can occur in the back, front or side of the hip. It is usually painless and harmless, but may be accompanied with pain and weakness in some. People who are involved in sports or dance where they have to repeatedly bend are most vulnerable and it may affect their performance. Sometimes, the syndrome can lead to bursitis, a painful swelling of the fluid-filled sacs called bursae that cushion the hip joint.
Treatment of Snapping Hip
Rest and modification of activities may be suggested initially by your doctor, followed by conservative therapeutic options. The therapeutic strategies for snapping hip include:
Home care for Snapping Hip
A few home remedies can be followed if you experience minor snapping hip pain, which include:
- Applying ice to the affected area
- Using NSAIDs to reduce discomfort
- Avoiding repetitive hip movements by changing your activities
Consult your doctor if the discomfort persists even after following the home remedies.
Physical Therapy for Snapping Hip
Your doctor may teach you certain exercises to strengthen and stretch the musculature surrounding the hip. You may be guided by a physical therapist. Particular tendon stretching exercises such as iliotibial band stretch and piriformis stretch will be indicated depending on the type of snapping you experience.
Corticosteroid Injection for Snapping Hip
Your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid to be injected into the bursa to reduce the pain and inflammation in the hip joint in case you have hip bursitis.
Surgical Treatment for Snapping Hip
Surgery is recommended when conservative approaches do not have an effect in resolving the snapping hip syndrome (which is rare). The type of surgery will depend on the factors that cause snapping hip. Surgical procedures include:
- Hip arthroscopy:This procedure is usually used to remove or repair the torn labrum. Your surgeon will insert an arthroscope (small camera) into your hip joint so that minute surgical instruments can be guided with the help of images displayed on a large screen. Very small cuts are required with this procedure due to the presence of a small arthroscope and surgical instruments.
Your surgeon will discuss the best surgical option depending on your condition.
