A clicking sound in the hip when walking is common. While often harmless, it can sometimes indicate an underlying issue. Understanding the causes of hip clicking helps determine when medical attention is beneficial.
What the Clicking Means
A hip click can be an audible sound or a sensation within the hip joint. It often occurs when tendons or muscles glide over bony areas. A painless click is usually benign. However, if the clicking is accompanied by pain, it may signal inflammation or tissue damage and warrants further investigation.
Common Explanations for a Clicking Hip
Several conditions can cause a clicking hip. A frequent cause is Snapping Hip Syndrome, where a tendon or muscle moves over a bony part of the hip. This can be external, such as the iliotibial band or gluteus maximus muscle snapping over the greater trochanter on the outside of the hip. Internal snapping hip involves the iliopsoas tendon gliding over the iliopectineal eminence or femoral head at the front of the hip.
Another explanation for hip clicking involves a labral tear, which is damage to the ring of cartilage, called the labrum, that lines the hip socket. The labrum helps to cushion the hip joint and keep the ball of the thighbone securely within the socket. A tear in this cartilage can lead to a clicking, locking, or catching sensation in the hip. These tears can result from trauma, repetitive motions, or structural issues within the hip.
Osteoarthritis, characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage, can also cause clicking. As protective cartilage wears away, bones may rub against each other, creating friction and a grating or crackling sound. This wear and tear can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Bursitis, the inflammation of bursae—fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints—can contribute to hip clicking. Specifically, trochanteric bursitis, affecting the bursa on the outside of the hip, can cause pain and snapping sensations. This inflammation often results from repetitive friction or overuse. Loose bodies, which are small fragments of bone or cartilage floating within the joint, can interfere with normal hip movement and produce clicking or catching sensations. These fragments can become trapped between the ball and socket, leading to pain and stiffness.
When Medical Attention is Needed
While often benign, a hip click warrants medical attention if accompanied by certain symptoms. These include persistent or increasing pain that interferes with daily activities or sleep. Swelling, redness, or warmth around the hip joint also indicate a more serious issue. Limited range of motion or stiffness, weakness, instability, or a feeling that the hip is locking or giving out should prompt professional advice. Any hip clicking that develops suddenly after an injury or fall, especially with severe pain or inability to bear weight, requires immediate assessment.
Ways to Address a Clicking Hip
Managing a clicking hip often begins with conservative approaches to reduce irritation and improve hip mechanics. Resting the affected hip and modifying activities that aggravate the clicking can help alleviate symptoms.
Stretching and strengthening exercises play a significant role in managing hip clicking, particularly for conditions like Snapping Hip Syndrome. Targeted exercises can improve flexibility in tight muscles, such as hip flexors and the iliotibial band, and strengthen surrounding muscles like the glutes, which can help stabilize the hip. A physical therapist can provide a tailored exercise program to address specific imbalances and improve movement patterns.
Medications can also help manage pain and inflammation associated with a clicking hip. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, may reduce discomfort. In some cases, a healthcare provider might recommend corticosteroid injections directly into the affected bursa or joint to reduce localized inflammation and pain.
For cases that do not respond to conservative treatments, surgical options may be considered. For persistent Snapping Hip Syndrome, procedures to lengthen tight tendons, such as iliopsoas tendon release or IT band release, might be performed. If a labral tear is the cause, arthroscopic surgery can repair or remove the torn cartilage. Similarly, for loose bodies or severe cartilage damage, arthroscopic debridement can remove debris or smooth joint surfaces.