Snapping hip syndrome is a condition characterized by a snapping or clicking sensation in your hip that occurs when you walk, stand or rotate your hip joint. Some people experience this snapping sensation without any accompanying pain, while others experience groin pain that worsens with physical activity. If you have a painful snapping hip, you can use a physical therapy routine to help resolve your symptoms.
Snapping Hip Basics
In most cases, snapping hip syndrome occurs when a band of connective tissue in your hip called the iliotibial band passes over a part of your femur called the greater trochanter. This movement is a normal part of bending your hip, but hip tightness can lead to an abnormal amount of friction and trigger inflammation in a sac called the bursa, which helps cushion your joint. You can also develop a snapping hip when the rectus femoris tendon in your hip rubs against the inside of your femur. In addition, a snapping hip can be the result of torn cartilage or other loose material in your hip joint.
Determining Therapy Needs
Most people with snapping hip syndrome have no associated pain and don’t require any treatment, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Some people with the syndrome have some pain but can manage their symptoms with home-care options such as reduction or modification of physical activity, application of ice or another cold source, use of nonprescription pain medications and avoidance of hip-intensive movements. In some cases, these steps are ineffective, and resolution of the symptoms requires the assistance of a doctor and physical therapist.
Physical Therapy Routines
Physical therapy for a snapping hip includes stretching and strengthening exercises as well as massage for your iliopsoas muscle, which runs through your hip. Potential stretching exercises include standing and side-leaning iliotibial band stretches, quadriceps stretches, hamstring stretches performed against a wall and stretches for another hip muscle called the piriformis. Potential strengthening exercises include side-lying leg lifts and prone hip extensions. After you resolve any hip pain and regain flexibility and strength, you can slowly return to sports or participation in other physically demanding activities.
Monitoring Your Recovery
Your doctor and physical therapist can gauge your recovery by testing your ability to perform a variety of movements or exercises, including jogging and sprinting without limping or pain, running in a figure-eight pattern, making 45- and 90-degree cuts without pain, and jumping and hopping without pain. Once you can do these things, you can usually return to your preferred sport or activity. Recovery times for snapping hip syndrome can vary widely from person to person. Your doctor and therapist will typically base your recovery on your functional abilities rather than a strict rehabilitation timetable.
