Snapping and Popping Hips... Will it Ever Go Away?

Have you ever dealt with snapping or popping in your hip during dance? Maybe it is painful, maybe you just need to move your hip around a bit for it to go away, or maybe it’s annoying and happens each time you lift your leg above your hip during class…

It is very possible that you have experienced snapping or popping at your hip especially if you are a ballet dancer. A research study found that approximately 90% of the ballet dancers in their study reported experiencing either snapping, popping, or clicking at their hip. This sensation at the hip may not always be painful, but more annoying or uncomfortable. Have you ever wondered what causes this snapping or popping feeling?

Snapping hip can be divided into 3 different types: intra-articular, internal, or external. Intra-articular refers to snapping, popping, or clicking that is deep inside the hip joint. Internal and external snapping involve different tendons surrounding the hip joint as they glide or “snap” over various bony prominences. The most common type is internal snapping which typically occurs at the front of the hip when the dancer is in second position with their leg turned out and at, or above, the level of their hip. This sensation is created as the iliopsoas (“hip flexor”) tendon moves over a bony prominence. 

Many times a dancer’s symptoms can be easily felt or heard as they move their hip into various aggravating positions. A diagnostic ultrasound may also be used to evaluate snapping hip. This is a condition that is very commonly addressed with conservative treatment with physical therapy. It is important to work with a physical therapist who has a strong understanding of the unique and specific demands and techniques involved in dance. 

If this sounds like something you are dealing with and are tired of your hip snapping, popping, or clicking during your dance classes, it would be a great time to get scheduled for a physical therapy evaluation with us! At the evaluation we will take a close look at your strength, flexibility, range of motion, joint and soft tissue mobility, static and dynamic control, and specific functional assessments related to dance techniques to capture the whole picture of what is contributing to your symptoms at your hip. We will develop a treatment plan to get you back to dancing without being bothered by the snapping, popping, or clicking! 

Send us an email at kristin@gracefulpt.com to get scheduled today. Remember we make it easy for you and travel to you for your evaluation and treatment! So convenient!

Originally posted August 27, 2022.

Laible, C. et al. Iliopsoas Syndrome in Dancers. The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013: 1(3).

Winston, P. et al. Clinical Examination and Ultrasound of Self-Reported Snapping Hip Syndrome in Elite Ballet Dancers. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007: Vol. 35, No. 1.