Snapping Hip

21 Jun Snapping Hip

Snapping Hip – Orthopedist in Nassau County

Do you occasionally hear a popping sound or feel a snapping sensation when you walk, get up, or swing your leg? This is known as snapping hip. In most cases, snapping hip is painless and is seen more as an annoyance however for athletes or dancers it can also be accompanied by pain and weakness due to extensive movement. With help from our orthopedist in Valley Stream, we can make sure you know what all of your options are.

What causes snapping hip?

orthopedist in valley stream

Snapping hip is usually caused by the movement of a muscle or tendon over a bony structure in the hip and typically occurs due to tightness in the surrounding muscles and tendons. If you engage in physical activity and sports that involve repeated bending around the hip then you are more at risk. Our orthopedist in Valley Stream, Dr. Stanislav Avshalumov will make sure you know all of your options.

There are three main types of snapping hip:

1. Internal Snapping Hip – This happens at the front of the hip when a tendon slides over the protruding bony structure. This creates tension and when releasing causes the “snapping” effect between the tendon and the protrusion on the pelvic bone.
2. External Snapping Hip – This occurs when a muscle or tendon slides over the bone at the top of your thigh bone. The tension that’s created when released causes the “snapping” effect at the outside of the hip. This snapping usually happens due to tightness in certain muscles and tendons.
3. Snapping Hip Due To Cartilage Injury – If you have injured or torn the cartilage in your hip, the damage itself can cause loose fragments of tissue or bone to get trapped within the hip’s ball and socket causing the snapping.

Whatever the cause of your snapping hip, our orthopedist in Valley Stream will make sure to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Treatment

Typically, treatment includes resting, applying ice, and taking over-the-counter pain medication to relieve episodic pain and discomfort. If you are an athlete, your orthopedist may recommend modifying your workouts. If you are experiencing more pain, an orthopedist may also recommend physical therapy and corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.

If you are experiencing snapping hip that is not responding to the typical treatments, surgery may be required. Our orthopedist in Valley Stream can help you determine if surgery is necessary. We offer hip arthroscopy which involves placing a small camera into your hip joint in order to repair or remove fragments of torn tendons. We also offer total hip joint replacement for more serious cases.

Whatever your needs are, our orthopedist in Valley Stream will make sure that we assess your lifestyle and pain needs so you get the correct treatment plan. Contact us today!