Extra-articular Snapping Hip: A Literature Review

Abstract

Context:Snapping hip, or coxa saltans, is a vague term used to describe palpable or auditory snapping with hip movements. As increasing attention is paid to intra-articular hip pathologies such as acetabular labral tears, it is important to be able to identify and understand the extra-articular causes of snapping hip.Evidence Acquisition:The search terms snapping hip and coxa sultans were used in PubMed to locate suitable studies of any publication date (ending date, November 2008).Results:Extra-articular snapping may be caused laterally by the iliotibial band or anteriorly by the iliopsoas tendon. Snapping of the iliopsoas tendon usually requires contraction of the hip flexors and may be difficult to differentiate from intra-articular causes of snapping. Dynamic ultrasound can help detect abrupt tendon translation during movement, noninvasively supporting the diagnosis of extra-articular snapping hip. The majority of cases of snapping hip resolve with conservative treatment, which includes avoidance of aggravating activities, stretching, and anti-inflammatory medication. In recalcitrant cases, surgery to lengthen the iliotibial band or the iliopsoas tendon has produced symptom relief but may result in prolonged weakness.Conclusions:In treating active patients with snapping soft tissues around the hip, clinicians should recognize that the majority of cases resolve without surgical intervention, while being mindful of the potential for concomitant intra-articular and internal snapping hips.

Coxa saltans caused by extraarticular synovial chondromatosis overlying an isolated osteochondroma of the greater trochanter: A rare aetiology

“…It occurs in 5e10% of the general population. 1 Activities which require extreme hip movements usually precipitate painful snapping hip like in athletes, …”

“…1 Diagnosing snapping hip is very challenging because of variety of causes which could be intraarticular or extraarticular. The intraarticular causes are synovial chondromatosis, labral tears, loose bodies, osteochondral fractures and hip instability.…”

Diagnosis and Management of Snapping Hip Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Literature

“…Some authors reported that SHS is more common in women than in men, and as early as adolescent years. A large case series showed a 62% prevalence of cases in women [6]. However, gender is not a risk factor statistically significant up today [6].…”

Endoscopic release of internal snapping hip: a review of literature

“…They often report difficulty to get in and out of the car, standing up from a seated position and doing sports as running, dancing, and all physical activities that require an high hip range of motion 6 . Then, usually the patient is able to tell the examiner when the snap occurs and to reproduce it voluntary.…”