Snapping hip, as the name suggests, is a condition where the hip makes a snapping, clicking, or popping noise during movement. This is usually highly repeatable, with the same movement causing the same snap each time. It can feel strange and sometimes worrying, but it is often less serious than it sounds.
In many cases, the snapping itself is painless and simply caused by a tendon moving over a bony point. However, if the snapping is painful, associated with locking, or affects your ability to move normally, it is worth getting assessed.
Types of Snapping Hip Syndrome
There are three recognised types of snapping hip, defined by where the “snap” is coming from.
The most common is lateral snapping hip, where the snapping happens on the outside of the hip. This usually involves the iliotibial band (IT band) or gluteal tendons moving over the bony prominence on the outside of the thigh bone.
The second most common is anterior snapping hip, where the snapping is felt at the front. This usually involves the hip flexor muscles, particularly the iliopsoas tendon, moving over structures at the front of the joint. Tight hip flexors can be associated with desk work or a sedentary lifestyle. See also: Lower Cross Syndrome.
The third and rarest type is posterior snapping hip. This involves bones and muscles at the back of the hip, such as the gluteal muscles.
Lateral Snapping Hip Syndrome
Lateral snapping hip is often most noticeable when walking, climbing stairs, or standing up from sitting. Some people can deliberately reproduce it by rotating the hip or bringing the leg out to the side.
This is commonly seen in runners, dancers, and people who do repetitive hip movements. Tightness through the IT band, weakness around the pelvis, or changes in walking mechanics can all increase the likelihood of symptoms.
Sometimes the snapping is painless but irritating. Other times, repeated friction can lead to local inflammation and tenderness around the outside of the hip, which may be diagnosed as trochanteric pain syndrome.
Possible Causes of a “Snapping” Hip
Not every click or snap in the hip is true snapping hip syndrome. If your audible snap comes with pain, locking, catching, or reduced movement, it might be caused by something else.
One common issue involves the cartilage around the ball-and-socket joint of the hip, known as the labrum. This ring of cartilage helps deepen the socket and improve stability. The labrum can be torn through a sudden injury or repetitive movement, which is why snapping hip is sometimes also called “dancer’s hip.”
If the labrum is torn in a way that causes it to catch inside the joint, you may notice sharp pain, stiffness, or the feeling that the hip gets stuck. A loose flap of cartilage may sometimes sit where it’s meant to, and at other times fold over or get caught. This means that symptoms can be inconsistent and hard to reproduce.
Osteopathy for Snapping Hip
Your osteopath will assess not just the hip itself, but also how the pelvis, lower back, knees, and feet are working. Often, the snapping is only part of the bigger picture.
Treatment may involve improving movement through the hip joint, reducing unnecessary tension in surrounding muscles, and addressing areas that may be increasing load through the hip. Weakness around the glutes and pelvis is particularly common, so exercises are often an important part of recovery.
If certain sports or gym exercises are aggravating symptoms, we can help you modify these rather than simply stopping altogether.
Most cases of snapping hip respond well to conservative treatment. If symptoms suggest something deeper within the joint, such as a labral issue, we may recommend further investigation.
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