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Clinical Education

Snapping Hip

  • ‘snapping’ hip is a condition usually seen in female athletes, such as dancers, runners, gymnasts and cheerleaders
  • It is also known as coxa saltans
  • It is characterised by reproduction of a snap or click at the hip with repetitive motion
  • The clicking in the hip is a greater complaint than the pain
Internal snapping hip occurs anteriorly by abrupt movement of the iliopsoas tendon. The iliopsoas te

Internal snapping hip occurs anteriorly by abrupt movement of the iliopsoas tendon. The iliopsoas tendon, composed of the psoas major and some fibers of the iliacus muscle, inserts on the lesser trochanter. The remaining muscular fibers of the iliacus insert directly to the femur below the lesser trochanter. The 2 bony structures commonly implicated in internal snapping hip are the anterior aspect of the femoral head and joint capsule and the iliopectineal eminence of the pelvic brim

External snapping hip occurs lateral to the hip joint and is attributed to the abrupt movement of th

External snapping hip occurs lateral to the hip joint and is attributed to the abrupt movement of the iliotibial band across the greater trochanter.

Assessment Treatment

Lateral (or external) snapping hip:

This is localised at the lateral aspect of the hip and is produced by the tensor fascia lata or the abducting fibres of gluteus maximus sliding over the greater trochanter and producing a characteristic snapping sound.
This is not usually painful
The young dancer (and the parent) require reassurance that this does not signify any bony abnormality
Internal Snapping Hip:

This is caused by the iliopsoas tendon as it flips over the iliopectineal eminence.
The patient complains of pain with hip flexion
References

Image from OpenI – Licensed by CC
Image from OpenI – Licensed by CC
Image from OpenI – Licensed by CC

Treatment:

Although the condition may resolve with rest, the following will need to be considered :

Review of sporting technique
Release of excessively tight soft tissue structures
Pelvic stability exercises
Stretching of the involved tight tissues
Referral to physiotherapy for:

Gluteal stretches
Iliopsoaos stretches
Soft tissue therapy/myofacial release to the iliopsoas muscle/gluts/TFL
Occasionally surgical release may be required if unsuccessful with physiotherapy
References

Image from OpenI – Licensed by CC
Image from OpenI – Licensed by CC
Image from OpenI – Licensed by CC

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