Submitted By Peter Maiers M.D.
12.10.2008

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.