Snapping Hip

Also known as: snapping hip syndrome, dancer’s hip.

What is snapping hip?

A snapping hip occurs when a person feels a snapping sensation in his/her hip with certain movements. It can sometimes be accompanied by a noise and sometimes pain.

What causes snapping hip?

A snapping hip occurs when something snaps over the hip or when something is loose inside the hip. The psoas tendon (a tendon that helps to bring the knee to the chest) and the iliotibial band (a thick band of tissue on the outside of the hip) are the most common causes of hip snapping. Tears of the cartilage inside the hip are less common causes.

What are the symptoms of snapping hip?

A snapping sensation and occasionally a sound are the most common symptoms of a snapping hip. Pain may also occur. It is frequent that people feel there hip is “coming out of the socket” although this is extremely rare.

What are snapping hip care options?

Most cases of snapping hip resolve themselves over time with rest, stretching exercises or physical therapy. In some cases, steroid injections or surgery may be needed to treat a snapping hip if other treatments do not work.


Reviewed by: Kevin S Horowitz, MD

This page was last updated on: August 19, 2020 01:00 PM