Does exercise therapy treat snapping hip syndrome?

Exercise therapy can help snapping hip syndrome by improving hip control, strengthening supporting muscles, and reducing strain during movement. The programme is adjusted to whether the snapping is felt at the front, side, or back of the hip and whether pain is present.

Snapping hip syndrome, also called dancer’s hip or coxa saltans, is a clicking or snapping sensation as a tendon or muscle moves around the hip. Some snapping is painless, while painful snapping can interfere with walking, running, sitting, or sport. Therapy may combine hip and trunk strengthening, movement retraining, flexibility work, and a gradual return to the activities that provoke symptoms. The snapping sound itself is not the only measure of progress; comfort and function matter too.

Note which hip movements create the sensation and whether they cause pain, catching, or weakness. Temporarily reduce repeated deep hip flexion, fast kicking, or other aggravating activities if advised, while keeping comfortable movement. Practise the prescribed strengthening and control exercises with steady technique. The [Exercise Therapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/exercise-therapy/) page describes how a programme can be tailored and progressed.

Arrange assessment if snapping is painful, persistent, associated with locking or giving way, or limiting normal activity. Seek prompt care after a significant fall or if the hip becomes hot, swollen, very painful, or difficult to bear weight on. A clinician can check whether symptoms arise from a tendon, the joint, or another hip problem before you increase loading.

Which structure may be causing my snapping? Should I modify a particular sport or movement? Which strengthening and flexibility exercises are suitable? What symptoms would mean I should stop and return for review?