What is snapping hip syndrome?

Snapping hip syndrome, also known as coxa saltans, is a condition caused by muscles and tendons surrounding your hip joint. When you move, your tight muscles or tendons may snap or pop. The sound or sensation can occur with or without pain and can affect one hip or both.

About 5 to 10 percent of the population is affected by snapping hip syndrome. For most people, the condition is painless and doesn’t cause any harm. However, overuse of the hip joint can lead to discomfort and long-term symptoms. And sometimes the snapping can be a sign of other underlying conditions.

You could be more likely to experience a snapping hip if you play a sport or have a job that requires constant bending and significant motion at your hip. The condition is sometimes called “dancer’s hip” because it’s so common in dancers.

women suffering from snapping hip syndrome out for a walk

Intra-articular snapping hip

Intra-articular hip injuries occur within the hip joint itself. Common issues include damage to the articular cartilage lining the ball and socket, acetabular labral tears (tears in the cartilage that rims the hip socket), hip dysplasia or broken bone fragments and debris trapped in the joint following a fracture or dislocation.



Internal snapping hip

Internal snapping hip happens in front and just inside the hip when the hip flexor tendons slide and catch on bony structures at the front of the hip joint. This snapping usually occurs when moving from a bent to a straight position. As the flexor muscle stretches, it briefly catches on the hip bone before snapping back into place. It is the second most common type of snapping hip syndrome.

External snapping hip

The most common place for a snapping hip is on the side, where the iliotibial (IT) band slides over part of the thighbone called the greater trochanter. When the hip is straight, the IT band is behind the trochanter. When the hip bends, the band moves in front of it. Since the IT band is tight, like a stretched rubber band, it snaps over the trochanter, creating the snapping sound you hear.

Types of snapping hip syndrome

Snapping hip syndrome is named differently depending on where it happens.

Snapping hip syndrome symptoms

As its name indicates, snapping hip syndrome often involves a snapping or clicking sound. While it’s usually painless, some people may feel a clicking or popping sensation when moving their hip.

Other symptoms can include:

  • Inflammation
  • Swelling
  • Leg muscle weakness
  • Discomfort (a feeling like the hip might pop out)
  • Decreased range of motion in the hip
  • Difficulty with physical activity
  • Increased pain after activity

When to see a doctor

The symptoms of snapping hip syndrome usually develop over time and increase with overuse. These can take months to years to cause any issues or concerns. See your doctor if you have any signs of a snapping hip, including hip pain and weakness. A physical exam can help pinpoint the problem area, so you can get the treatment you need.

Snapping hip syndrome causes

Hip pain and popping happen when the muscles and tendons around your hip are too lax or too tight. Tendons are strong bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. The snapping or popping sound occurs when the tissue moves over a bony ridge in your hip joint.

man stretching on grass to alleviate snapping hip symptoms

Snapping hip syndrome risk factors

Risk factors for snapping hip syndrome include:

Complications

Typically, snapping hip syndrome doesn’t have many complications. However, if you don’t take steps to rest or treat the condition, you could develop:

  • Hip bursitis (also known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome): Swelling and pain in the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions the hip joint
  • A torn hip labrum: Damage to the cartilage that lines your hip socket
women sitting in bed dealing with the complications of snapping hip syndrome

Diagnosing snapping hip syndrome

The first step in diagnosing snapping hip syndrome is a physical exam. This will help your doctor determine the cause of the snapping sensation and popping sounds. If needed, imaging tests can be used to get a detailed picture of your hip and provide a clearer idea of what’s going on inside the joint.

Snapping hip syndrome treatment 

The first step in treatment usually involves resting and adjusting your activities. Depending on the cause of your snapping hip, your doctor may also suggest other treatment options.

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