If you hear “snap”…“crackle”…“pop,” it may not be your cereal talking to you – it could be your hip.

Snapping hip syndrome occurs when a muscle or tendon moves over a bony structure, or when there is a tear in the cartilage or debris in the hip joint. Athletes, such as ballet dancers and gymnasts, are at special risk for snapping hip syndrome due to their repetitive and physically demanding movements. The condition also frequently occurs in people aged 15-40 years and affects females slightly more often than males.

If you are experiencing the initial stages of snapping hip syndrome, there are a few treatment options you can perform at home. Those include:

• Reducing your activity levels and applying ice to the area

• The use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to reduce discomfort

• Modification of your sport or exercise activities to avoid repetitive movement of the hip

If these at home treatments do not work, and pain persists or worsens, you should most certainly seek immediate medical attention. Your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist will provide you with expert treatment options that can help to reduce your discomfort, such as stretching exercises. If hip bursitis is a cause of inflammation, your physician may recommend an injection of a corticosteroid to reduce the swelling. Finally, in the rare instance that snapping hip does not respond to conservative treatment, arthroscopic surgery may be recommended.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by the year 2030, an estimated one-quarter of the projected total adult population, or 64.9 million adults aged 18 years or older, will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. The good news is that there are preventative measures and conservative treatment options available.

Diet – A well-balanced diet coupled with regular doctor prescribed low-impact exercise can help reduce excess body weight, decrease pressure on the joints and increase joint strength. Even small decreases in excess body weight can help alleviate pressure on the joints.

Medications – Pain relievers, anti-inflammatories and cortisone injections can help relieve both joint swelling and pain. Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin along with other nutraceuticals may be helpful, but their long-term effectiveness is uncertain.

Walking Aids – Support braces can be used to help straighten the leg and reduce the amount of pressure on the knee. Walking aids such as a cane also can assist with relieving the amount of pressure placed on painful hip and knee joints. Rest and ice can be used when you notice an increase in symptoms, especially after activity.

Physical Therapy – Supervised exercise may be used to help strengthen joints and promote less painful function. Weak or tight muscles provide little support and can make it difficult to move the joint. Physical therapy can help loosen and strengthen muscles, possibly providing relief from joint pain.

If these conservative non-surgical measures have failed to provide adequate pain relief, there are several surgical options to consider. You should speak with your orthopedic surgeon to determine which treatment method is best suited for your situation.

Overall, orthopedic surgeons and their adult osteoarthritis patients face several challenges. It’s imperative to diagnose the issues early and accurately. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, patients and physicians should work together to identify a treatment option that allows the patient to maintain an acceptable level of physical activity, thus improving a patient’s quality of life. When the disability from your damaged joint interferes substantially with what you need and want to do on a daily basis, that’s when surgical options should be considered.