What is Snapping Hip Syndrome?
Snapping Hip Syndrome (SHS), also known as “Dancer’s hip,” is a disorder in which the hip pops or snaps when you move. This syndrome can impact everyday tasks and sports performance, either without pain or with accompanying discomfort.
Causes and Mechanism of Injury
SHS is categorized based on the location and cause of the snapping:
- External SHS: This happens when the gluteus maximus tendon or the iliotibial band (ITB) pass across the femur’s greater trochanter. This ailment can result from repetitive motions, particularly when running or cycling.
- Internal SHS: This kind occurs when the iliopsoas tendon snaps over bone landmarks such the femoral head or the iliopectineal prominence. It is frequently observed in sportsmen and dancers who engage in repetitive hip flexion motions.
- Intra-articular SHS: Less frequently occurring, intra-articular SHS is brought on by intra-articular lesions such as loose bodies or labral tears in the hip joint.
Signs and Symptoms
Individuals with SHS may experience:
- A noticeable popping or snapping sound made when moving the hips.
- Hip pain or discomfort, particularly when engaging in hip flexion or extension exercises.
- The feeling that the hips are “catching” or “locking.”
- Weakness in hip motions, especially when the leg is raised forward or sideways.
Diagnostic Methods at Elite Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre
At Elite Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre, we employ comprehensive physical and functional assessments to diagnose SHS:
- Patient History: Knowing the type, degree of activity, and motions that cause the snapping sensation, as well as the start, length, and character of symptoms.
- Physical examination: Evaluating muscle strength, flexibility, and hip range of motion.
- Special Physiotherapy Tests:
- Ober’s Test: Assesses the ITB’s tightness, which could lead to external SHS.
- The Thomas Test: Measures the iliopsoas muscle’s flexibility, which is relevant to internal SHS.
- The FABER Test (Patrick’s Test): Detects dysfunctions of the hip or sacroiliac joints that may resemble symptoms of SHS.
Physiotherapy Management at Elite Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre
Our approach to managing SHS is holistic, focusing on individualized treatment plans that address the root cause of the condition.
- Manual therapy: Methods for reducing muscle tension and increasing flexibility, such as myofascial release and soft tissue manipulation.
- Therapeutic Exercises:
- Stretching: To increase flexibility, focus on the gluteal, ITB, and iliopsoas muscles.
- Strengthening: To increase stability and support hip function, concentrate on the hip abductors, adductors, and core muscles.
- High-End Modalities:
- Shock Wave Therapy: Acoustic waves are used in shock wave therapy to lessen pain and encourage tissue recovery.
- CRET therapy: It uses electromagnetic energy to promote deep tissue healing.
- The Super Inductive System (SIS): Helps to reduce pain and develop muscles by stimulating neuromuscular regions with high-intensity electromagnetic fields.
- High-Intensity Class 4 Laser Therapy: Reduces inflammation and speeds up healing by delivering deep-tissue photonic energy.
- Hydrotherapy: Uses workouts in the water to increase strength and mobility while reducing joint tension.
- Cryotherapy: Uses cold therapy to ease pain and reduce inflammation.
- Activity Modification: Advice on how to change activities to reduce hip strain and stop symptoms from getting worse.
Our goal at Elite Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre is to provide individualized care by combining cutting-edge modalities and sophisticated physiotherapy techniques to guarantee a speedy recovery and a return to your active lifestyle.