Hip health is something that sits in the back of my mind on a regular basis. Erin was a late diagnosed case of DDH or hip dysplasia in her right hip. She underwent multiple surgeries and spent months in a hip spica cast, my most popular post is The signs and symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in toddlers and I know pretty much all there is to know about DDH. I understand the medical terminology, I can read hip X-Rays and the treatment plans. However even I have been a little blindsided by a new development, snapping hip syndrome.
Snapping Hip Syndrome is not a bone issue, it is a tendon or muscle issue and it seems Erin is suffering with it. DDH is different as in a nutshell it is a ball and socket joint and Erin’s socket was not the cup shape it should be. Hers was pretty flat, so one of the surgeries was to create a cup shape and pin the hip into place. Erin last had a hip X-Ray in September and all looked good, so good that her consultant is happy not to see her for a few years.
Although at the same time Erin was complaining of some hip pain in her ‘good’ hip. Her consultant said this snapping hip was caused by the tendons and to head back to the GP if it continued as it was not bone-related and therefore out of his remit.
What causes snapping hip syndrome?
In most cases, snapping is caused by the movement of a muscle or tendon over a bony structure in the hip.
The most common site is on the outside of the hip where a band of connective tissue known as the iliotibial band passes over part of the thigh bone that juts out — called the greater trochanter. When you stand up straight, the band is behind the trochanter. When you bend your hip, however, the band moves over and in front of the trochanter. This may cause the snapping noise.
The iliopsoas tendon, which connects to the inner part of the upper thigh, can also snap with hip movement.
How snapping hip affects Erin
This past weekend I had an appointment with the GP to discuss this snapping hip as it causes Erin regular pain, she has complained more and more recently and it has even made her cry.
Erin explained to the GP how her hip pops and moves and he examined Erin and asked her to show him where it hurts. He was happy with her movement range and I mentioned her hypermobility diagnosis. I had thought the pain would be due to the hypermobility and again is an example of hypermobility syndrome, the invisible illness.
However, after examining Erin, the GP has suggested that the pain Erin is experiencing and the snapping hip feeling could be as a result of her being out of line in her hips. Erin’s hips still don’t look like a ‘typical normal’ hip and she is not symmetrical due to the surgeries she has had. As a result of not being symmetrical, she is possibly overcompensating on her good side which is causing the issues she is now experiencing.
Initially, the GP suggested more Xrays but I explained how we were trying to reduce these due to radiation etc and that as she only had some a few months back I didn’t believe they would show anything new. The GP agreed with me and suggested we head to physio to see what they suggest. If they want to do XRays we will proceed but firstly we are going to let them see if they can work their magic.
I am happy to try this although I have reservations about the physios as they missed her DDH initially, but then so did the health visitors and doctors we saw!
Treatment Plan for Snapping Hip Syndrome
So, for now, we are resting it up as much as a 9-year-old can and waiting for the referral to physio. This all just demonstrates that a late diagnosis of hip dysplasia can have further consequences down the line.
We are also using water therapy. Erin has always found swimming helpful for her joints so we are making the most of swimming and warm baths.
When the pain gets too much for her she uses over the counter pain relief, we use calpol as it is good with muscles.
