Clicking Hip
Clicking hip, also known as snapping hip syndrome, is a condition that causes a popping, snapping, or clicking sensation in or around the hip joint during movement.
What is clicking hip?
Clicking hip, medically known as snapping hip syndrome, happens when a muscle, tendon, or ligament moves over a bony part of the hip, creating a snapping or clicking sensation. Some people can hear the click, while others only feel it.
While many cases are painless and harmless, some people experience discomfort, stiffness, or pain that affects exercise, walking, or daily activities.
The condition is relatively common, especially in dancers, runners, footballers, gymnasts, and other active people who repeatedly bend and rotate their hips. It can also affect people who are less active or who have underlying hip problems.
There are 3 main types of clicking hip:
External clicking hip – This is the most common type. It happens when the iliotibial band (a thick band of tissue on the outside of the thigh) or the gluteal tendons move over the outer part of the hip bone
Internal clicking hip – This occurs when the iliopsoas tendon, a major hip flexor tendon at the front of the hip, moves over bone or soft tissue structures inside the pelvis.
Intra-articular clicking hip – This type comes from inside the hip joint itself. It may be caused by cartilage damage, loose fragments within the joint, or a tear in the hip cartilage known as a labral tear. This type is more likely to cause pain, catching, or reduced movement.
At Welbeck, our orthopaedic consultants assess all forms of clicking hip in our specialist Orthopaedics centre to identify the underlying cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Paediatrics
We offer appointments to paediatric patients aged 4+. For full information on our paediatrics service, please visit our main Paediatric Orthopaedics page.
More information
The symptoms of clicking hip can vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Some people experience no pain at all, while others develop discomfort that affects movement and exercise.
Common symptoms include:
a snapping, clicking, or popping sensation in the hip
hearing a clicking sound when walking, standing up, or exercising
pain or tenderness in the hip or groin
stiffness around the hip joint
a feeling that the hip catches or locks
discomfort when climbing stairs or getting up from a chair
weakness or reduced hip flexibility
swelling or inflammation around the hip in some cases
The snapping sensation often becomes more noticeable during activities involving repeated hip movement, such as running, dancing, cycling, or kicking.
Clicking hip usually develops because structures around the hip become tight, irritated, inflamed, or unstable. Repetitive movement is one of the most common contributing factors.
Possible causes include:
tight muscles and tendons
overuse and repetitive exercise
muscle imbalance or weakness
injury or trauma
structural hip problems
growth and development
Risk factors for clicking hip
Factors that can increase your risk include:
participating in repetitive sporting activities
poor flexibility
muscle weakness
previous hip injuries
poor posture or movement mechanics
sudden increases in training intensity
It’s not always possible to prevent clicking hip completely, especially in active people. However, there are several things that can help reduce the risk of symptoms developing or returning.
These include:
warming up properly before exercise
stretching the hip muscles regularly
gradually increasing exercise intensity
strengthening the core and hip muscles
avoiding overtraining
improving posture and movement technique
wearing supportive footwear during exercise
allowing enough recovery time between training sessions
If you notice early signs of discomfort or tightness around the hip, reducing activity temporarily and seeking advice early may help prevent symptoms from worsening.
Many people with clicking hip don’t develop complications, particularly if the condition is painless. However, ongoing irritation and inflammation can sometimes lead to longer-term problems if left untreated.
Possible complications include:
bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs around the hip)
tendon inflammation
worsening pain during activity
reduced flexibility and mobility
weakness around the hip
difficulty exercising or playing sports
cartilage damage within the hip joint in rare cases
Persistent hip pain can also affect sleep, exercise, and overall quality of life. Early assessment and treatment can often prevent symptoms from progressing.
Treatment for clicking hip depends on the cause of the condition, the severity of your symptoms, and whether it causes you any pain.
At Welbeck, our orthopaedic specialists provide personalised treatment plans tailored to your symptoms and activity levels.
Treatment options may include:
activity modification and temporary rest
physiotherapy
stretching and strengthening exercises
anti-inflammatory medication
ice therapy
gait and movement retraining
treatment of any underlying hip condition
keyhole surgery (hip arthroscopy) in severe or persistent cases
At Welbeck, our orthopaedic specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
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Frequently asked questions
In many cases, clicking hip is harmless and does not cause pain. However, if the clicking is painful, worsening, or affecting your movement, it’s important to have it assessed by a specialist to rule out inflammation or damage inside the hip joint.
Mild cases can sometimes improve with rest, stretching, and avoiding activities that trigger symptoms. However, persistent symptoms often benefit from physiotherapy and specialist assessment.
Not always. If the clicking is painless, you may still be able to exercise safely. However, painful clicking should not be ignored. Your consultant or physiotherapist can advise which activities are safe and whether temporary changes to your training are needed.
Yes. Clicking hip can affect children and young people, particularly during growth spurts or in those who participate in sports and dance activities. In many cases, symptoms improve with stretching and strengthening exercises.