Bill: Snapping Hip Syndrome

[I. Kay]

I was reading Mike Robertson's "Core Training for Smart Folks" and the issue came up in the discussion afterwards.

Mike said that he asked you, and then posted an article on Snapping Hip Syndrome. The article was informative, but only as to what it is, not really how to do anything about it. It mentioned anti-inflammtories to prevent long-term damage, but mine isn't terrible and I'm not going to recommend consistent use of ibuprofen to clients. I have a great massage therapist... what would I tell him to work on? Even better, what stretches might be good? I understand that it might be a tendon issue. Would simple hip flexor stretching work? I know lots of IT band stretches/foam roller work, but seems to me that if it's the hip tightness issue to the point of tendons pulling over bone, then ART may be the best way.

What say you, mon capitan?

Thanks!

[Bill Hartman]

It really depends on where the "snapping" occurs in my experience. Trochanteric snapping is usually a symptom of a weakness/tightness elsewhere. To give you a catch all for such an issue is impossible because it could be related to daily activities, injury elsewhere, or as I just said a "muscle imbalance". Check TFL, gluteus medius, glute max, rectus femoris, psoas, iliacus, and the adductors for any weakness or unusual tenderness.

The other "snapping hip", in my experience, is typically due to hypermobility in the lumbo-pelvic-hip region coupled with a poor stabilization strategy. Proper stabilization often prevents the snapping although it frequently recurrs when someone gets a tad lazy with their stabilization.

If it's not painful, I tend not to make a huge issue and avoid movements that reproduce it (usually supine hip flexion to hip extension or
Thomas test) because it's pretty annoying and focus on stabilization and strengthening. I don't think it's something that you stretch your way out of.

If you have a specific symptom pattern and objective findings, maybe I can provide a better answer.

Bill

[I. Kay]

You are the man, Bill. Mine isn't particularly bad, and it comes and goes. Currently, I don't have any clients with this problem. It's kind of a "what if" inquiry. Your tips on where to look are great.

Thank you very much!

[cappuccino]

rock, I have that hip snapping thing..the snapping itself wasn't painful, just annoying...but then

Bill, I got lazy with my stabilization, like you mention above, and started doing some running intervals again last week (mostly because I was feeling better) and am now hurting again. The snapping doesn't really hurt, but the Thomas test or pushing my knee inward while sitting does. (don't ask my why I was doing that, but I just did..was sitting in my desk chair, leaning over and pushing my knee inward)

Maybe I just started running intervals again subconsiously so I'd be in pain during the retreat so it would be easier for you to see what my problem is ...that is if you don't start running away as soon as you figure out who I am

foam rolling the whole groin area (my pain is more towards mid-outside of front part of hip) a good idea still?

[Bill Hartman]

Poor stabilization and running?

I have a strong idea of what's going on from the shoulder pics you sent a while back. You may have anterior hip issues. We'll definitely be able to get you on the right track.

Thanks for making the effort to get re-injured to make diagnosis a bit easier.

Bill

[cappuccino]

LOL, Bill.

I thought since I was feeling better and now that I have magical orthotics I was invincible. I think it was the 10 min intervals that set me over. If I do 6 30 or 60 sec ones, it's really not that much running....plus it's really nice outside these days But I'll get back on that boring bike for those next time....or climb stairs instead

We'll definitely be able to get you on the right track.

That's music to my ears Is it the 7th yet?

thanks mucho!