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 Snapping hip syndrome?

What causes snapping hip syndrome? Iliotibial Band / Iliopsoas Tendon Snap, Hip Labral Tear. Trochanteric Bursitis, how to diagnose snapping hip syndrome?

What is snapping hip syndrome?

Snapping hip syndrome is a condition that is characterized by a snapping sensation, and often an audible ‘popping’ sound, as the hip is flexed and extended. There are a few causes for snapping hip syndrome, the most common is due to tendons catching on bony prominences and “snapping” as the hip is moved.

What causes snapping hip syndrome? There are three main causes for snapping hip syndrome:

Iliotibial Band Snap.

The iliotibial band is a wide tendon which is located over the outside of the hip joint. The most common cause of snapping hip syndrome is when the Iliotibial band  snaps over the greater trochanter, this is the bony prominence over the outside of the hip joint. Snapping hip syndrome, patients may develop trochanteric bursitis; this is caused by the irritation of the bursa in this region. 

Iliopsoas Tendon Snap

The iliopsoas tendon is the hip flexor muscle, and the tendon of this muscle passes in front of the hip joint. The iliopsoas tendon sometimes catches on the bony prominence of the pelvis and causing a snapping sound when the hip is flexed.

Hip Labral Tear

HIP Labral Tear can be another cause of snapping hip syndrome is a tear of the cartilage inside the hip joint. If there is a flap or piece of loose cartilage catching inside the joint, this maybe the cause of the snapping sensation when the hip is moved. This cause of snapping hip syndrome causes a snapping sensation.  

Are any tests necessary to diagnose snapping hip syndrome?
An X-Ray is usually taken to confirm that there is no bony area around the hip joint; X-Rays are normally taken with snapping hip syndrome. If the cause of snapping hip syndrome is thought to be due to a tear of the cartilage within the hip joint, an MRI may be required to diagnose this condition.

Cold laser Therapy/Treatment

The lasers used at Central Chiropractic Clinic are certified as Cold Laser.  For the past 30 years the technology of Cold Laser Therapy (also known as Low Level Laser Therapy) has been formally accepted in North America and in many other parts of the world such as Europe, Russia and Japan.  In all this time there have been no recorded long-term adverse effects from low level laser therapy.  It is considered to be non-invasive, painless and safe.

Cold Laser Therapy uses laser light energy to stimulate cells to function optimally.  In the body, light sensitive chromophores and other elements within the cell absorb energy, initiating a series of important photochemical changes such as increased production of ATP. The mitochondria and Kreb’s Cycle stimulation initiates the production of ATP, providing the cell with the extra energy needed to accelerate the healing process and positively influence pain.  These activities can occur in all types of cells and includes ligament, nerves, cartilage and muscle.

Low Level Cold Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a Handheld, non-invasive, light-emitting medical device which is used over different areas of the body. It provides an unmatched advantage in the treatment of conditions such as;

Hip Pain

Chronic Upper and Lower Back pain Sciatica

Lumbar spinal stenosis,

Piriformis syndrome,

Spondylolisthesis,  

Slipped Disc. Prolapsed disc. Bulging Disc. Herniated Disc.

Lower back injuries. Coccyx

Hip Pain. Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation

Trapped nerves.

For further in depth information on Hip Pain, sciatica, lower back pain trapped nerves. Please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions”. See also Cold Laser Therapy under “Treatments” for effective pain Relief and healing.

Hip Anatomy

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The ball is formed by the top of the thigh bone (femur) and is called the “head” of the femur. The socket is formed by the bones of the pelvis and is called the acetabulum.  Ligaments tendons and muscles hold the head of the femur (the ball) in the acetabulum (the socket).

Articular cartilage is a smooth material that covers the head of the femur and the acetabulum. Articular cartilage covers the bony surfaces wherever they come into contact with each other. Articular cartilage allows the head of the femur to move freely inside the acetabulum as the leg moves. Fluid also aids the head of the femur move freely inside the acetabulum. This fluid is called synovial fluid and provides and lubrication to the hip joint.

The hip joint is surrounded by a “sack” called a joint capsule. Ligaments are like strong fibrous rope like structures that help connect bones and provide stability to joints. Ligaments reinforce the capsule and connect the head of the femur to the acetabulum. These ligaments prevent the head of the femur from coming out of the acetabulum. Larger, stronger ligaments also provide stability to the hip joint.

The acetabulum has a ring of tissue called the labrum (this circles the acetabulum) the labrum also helps provide stability to the hip.

Tendons connect muscles to bone. There are various muscles that surround the hip joint. These muscles and their tendons provide stability to the hip joint when the leg is moved. These muscles are also necessary for activities such as running, jumping and walking.

The hamstring muscles (are at the back of the leg) act with the gluteus maximus (the “buttock muscle”) to move the leg backwards at the hip. The hip flexors (iliopsoas and rectus femoris) move the leg forward at the hip. The groin muscles (adductor magnus and longus) move leg toward the midline of the body. The abductor group (gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fascia lata) move the leg away from the body and are also stabilize the hip joint.

A bursa or bursae is a small sac of fluid which limits friction between muscles, tendons and bones. The princable bursa of the hip joint is the bursa of the greater trochanter. This bursa is placed outside of the hip joint. An injury can occur by a direct blow or falling directly onto the outside of the hip, or from overuse.

One of the most common causes of hip pain is the inflammation of the bursa called hip bursitis. A bursa is a fluid filled sac that allows extra protection for the tendons on motion between two uneven surfaces. For example, in the hip, a bursa rests between the bony prominence over the outside of the hip (the greater trochanter) and the firm tendon that passed over this bone. When the tendon has to move over the bone and over the inflamed bursa it will result in pain. Because patients with hip bursitis move this tendon with each step, hip bursitis symptoms can be quite painful. Hip bursitis presents as the pain on the outside of the upper thigh. Management of hip bursitis is often directed on balancing the function of hip, knee and pelvis thus eliminating the cause of the pain as well as local application of the cold laser directed on suppression of inflammation and accelerating healing of the soft tissues

Hip pain and sports injuries for further in-depth information please go to top left corner under “pain” or “Conditions” and “Treatments” for Cold laser therapy.

 

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