That clicking or snapping sound you hear and feel around your hip can be annoying and potentially can be painful. This condition has a few names, with the term ‘dancer’s hip’ describing the condition being prevalent in ballet dancers. This condition does not just occur in dancers though, with kicking sports like soccer and Australian rules football also having an increased prevalence. The reason dancers are thought to have an increased prevalence in developing snapping hip, is due to the large range of motion they move their hip through. Dancer’s are incredible athletes who have the ability to perform high kicks through large ranges of motion, that other athletes may envy. The repetitive nature of kicks, may predispose the dancing athlete to overload the iliopsoas (primary hip flexor) tendon. This can lead to eventual swelling of the tendon as a result of the overload and lead to an increased chance of the movement becoming painful. The iliopsoas tendon essentially becomes tendinopathic and the condition could be broken down to an iliopsoas tendinopathy issue. However, dancers hip can be multifactorial and be due to a different cause. Another common structure that may be the cause of the snapping sound and potential pain, is the iliotibial band (ITB).

What causes the snapping sound?

The snapping sound is likely due to the tendon of the iliopsoas/ITB flicking over and past a bony protuberance. The iliopsoas tendon is thought to flick over the iliopectineal eminence (bony ridge on pelvis) or the front of the femoral head (head of the thigh bone). Whilst the ITB is thought to flick past the greater trochanter of the femur (bony attachment site on thigh bone).

What is crucial to understand with this condition is that for it to be classified as pathological, pain must occur in the presence of the snapping sound/sensation. There are many individuals who experience no pain, however they are annoyed by the frequency of the snapping sound. There are things we can do with osteopathy and targeted rehab to overcome this condition, and reduce or stop the snapping sensation occurring.

Approximately 5-10% of the population will suffer from ‘dancer’s hip’. The vast majority of this population experiencing painless snapping hip. Women are slightly more affected with symptoms and as mentioned earlier, dancer’s have an increased prevalence. It is reported that 80% of dancers affected had symptoms on both sides. Movements that are at or above 90 degrees typically result in the snapping sensation occurring.

The Reform Lab Osteopathy is able to provide rehabilitation services inside the fully equipped elite gym Project Reform.