What is Snapping Hip Syndrome?
Also referred to as Dancer's Hip or Iliopsoas Tendinitis, Snapping Hip Syndrome is characterised by a painless snapping sensation and/or an audible 'snap' or 'click' noise around the hip when you move. This frequently occurs in runners, soccer players and dancers and is most commonly found in individuals aged 15 to 40 years. The condition is simply an annoyance for most people but can cause pain and weakness.
The three types of Snapping Hip Syndrome are:
- Iliotibial Band Snap where the iliotibial band is a thick tendon over the outside of the hip joint
- Internal where the iliopsoas tendon is the primary hip flexor muscle, and the tendon of this muscle passes just in front of the hip joint
- Intra-Articular where tear of the cartilage within the hip joint
As this condition is more of an annoyance and slight discomfort, treatment is often simple and may include:
- Applying ice
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Reducing your activity levels
The main causes of Snapping Hip syndrome are:
- Leg length discrepancy
- Ligament laxity
- Movement of muscle or tendon over a bony area
- Prolonged exercise
- Repetitive hip movements
- Tight Iliotibial band
- Weakness in the muscles around the hip
The main symptoms and signs of Snapping Hip syndrome are:
- A snapping sound
- Noise around the hip joint when bending or extending your hip
- Pain that decreases with rest and when you reduce your activities
