Snapping hip in children and young people
শিশু ও তরুণদের স্ন্যাপিং হিপ (নিতম্বে খট খট শব্দ হওয়া)
Snapping hip is a common problem among children and young people who are physically active.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
What causes snapping hip?
Snapping hip happens when a tendon slides over a bony part of the hip. As it moves across, it catches, and that is what produces the snapping feeling or sound.
The usual reason is tightness in the muscles around the hip. This tightness can develop after a growth spurt. It can also happen in children who do the same movements over and over in sports and activities.
Treatment
Treatment of snapping hip
The main treatment of snapping hip is stretching the tight muscles and tendons around the hip. Your child should also avoid activities which irritate it.
Stretching and strengthening the tendons and muscles around your child’s hip will help improve their flexibility. This should reduce their symptoms.
You should try to encourage your child to continue to be as active as they can within the limits of their symptoms.
Treatment for the pain caused by snapping hip
Pain medication can help your child move more comfortably. This can help their recovery.
For advice on pain medication for your child, speak to your local pharmacist.
Treating with ice
Using ice on your child’s hip can help reduce inflammation. Use a barrier, like a towel, to protect their skin from a burn. Never place ice directly on their skin. Leave a few hours between treatments.
How to avoid hot water bottle burns and scalds – Care of Burns in Scotland
If your child has a burn or scald
You should stop treating the area with ice if you notice an increase in redness, discolouration or blistering of their skin.
Read more about burns and scalds
If your child has any issues with circulation or sensation, you shouldn’t use ice as a treatment for their snapping hip.
School and college
Your child doesn’t need to be pain-free to attend school or college. They may need to reduce activities like PE and playtime until their symptoms improve.
Help and support
By following this advice, you should see a gradual improvement in their symptoms over time.
You should see the biggest change in their symptoms within the first couple of weeks. Most problems should have improved within 6 weeks.
Talk to a healthcare professional if your child’s symptoms haven’t improved within 6 weeks.
Read about how to access MSK services in your local area
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