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.
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.
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
