Chiropractor Active Release Technique: Snapping hip Syndrome

Your friendly Chiropractor in Chandler AZ, Dr. Dan Rae, is back at the computer this morning trying to fit this article in prior to seeing patients today.  In keeping with the hip theme I am going to review a condition called Snapping Hip Syndrome.  A question that I get asked several times each day is why is my hip popping or snapping.  Well, today you will find out one of the main reasons for this.

In the images above by MendMeShop, we are able to see the structures involved in Snapping Hip Syndrome as well as a little bit of how it happens.  Snapping at the hip is most often due to tendons that are tight and snap over a bony prominence or or a fluid-filled sack called bursa.  In some cases, moving the leg away from the body may cause a suction effect similar to joint gapping with manipulation, and even less frequently, a loose body may be found in the joint.  However, with loose bodies, there are also signs of mechanical movement blockage.

These patients are generally in my office for something else when they ask about there hip snapping because it does not generally cause them pain.  The location of the snapping is a good indication of the offending tendon.

Usually this is not a problem, and it is typically position dependent.  If painful or irritating strengthening exercises have proven to be more beneficial than stretching.  However, if the irritation persists stretching can be implemented as well as soft-tissue therapies such as Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston Technique.