Clicky Hips (adult)

[stickysausages]

All my life I've had clicking hips, I had xrays as a teen which were clear, had physio about 10yrs ago, one session on nhs & was made to feel silly, she said nothing was wrong.

Problem is, for the past year it's got steadily worse. The clicking has gone from few times a day upon sitting to standing, to a few times an hour... when turning over in bed, when walking. It's noisy, and embarrassing.

It's also becoming more painful.

Anyone have this? Hubby is on at me to see GP, but I don't know if it's pointless & I'll be fobbed off again.

I'm mid thirties, about 2 stone overweight, but walk a lot & would say I'm reasonably fit.

Mine are noisy but it is the bone catching on the muscle that runs around the top of the femur. (My femurs were broken and re-set as a child as inward rotating, but the muscles got left behind!) I had the bones shaved and muscles moved to try & minimise it but the muscle went back to where it wanted. It does get painful if too bad as "twangs" on every step.

Is that what yours is? Can you feel it "click" if you hold your hand at top of thigh? Can you make it worse by shifting weight?

Are you hypermobile?

No, not hypermobile.

Not sure about the muscle thing, will pay more attention & see. It's def more a twangy feeling, sometimes like it's going to dislocate or something. Horrible!

Thanks for replying

Snapping hip syndrome?
I would go back to the gp. Sounds like it happens all the time.

I have the same problem - nothing major when i was younger but has been a real problem for the last few years. i saw my gp who went me for an x ray but it was clear so i was referred for physio as it was deemed to be a muscle issue. i have been going regularly for well over a year and it has helped but the problem is still really bad - my hip can almost "pop out" and i have to physically manoeuvre it back into place.... lots of tears and painkillers after that! i was sent for an mri recently and that shows that my pelvis is at the wrong angle so the ball can slip out of the pocket. i now have more physio to strengthen the muscle and waiting to hear about surgery...

i would try to see a physio properly - it made a massive difference to me even if it hasn't solved the problem. when i started my muscles around my hips were pathetically useless and i had absolutely no idea... that said they are also only worried when it causes pain and is getting worse so make sure you emphasise that point...

Thanks, that's really helpful :)

Hope things improve for you soon.

I found swimming used to help, it would be sore for a week but ease off, I'm always worried about causing more damage by exercising etc.

Looks like a GP appt it is then....

glad to help - started to think i was the only adult with the problem!

I swim 2km 4 times a week but i can't do breast stroke properly and it turns out it is because my muscles stop me separating my legs fully to prevent them popping out so that's actually the stroke to work on in my case! if you don't get anywhere with the doc i am happy to let you know the stretches i have to do assuming your weakness is in the same area - and that is ridiculously easy to test for!

Hi. I have had hip problems for many years now. When I walk I get like what I can only describe as an "electric shock" sensation in my hip and it feels like my hip has popped out of joint, (although I am told it hasn't) and my leg gives out on me. Its always very painful trying to walk afterwards, and I now limp more than walk properly!

The turning point for me came when my leg "collapsed" whilst trying to cross a busy main road. The pain afterwards was awful and it took me a long time to walk to my car.

I decided to bite the bullet and see an Acupuncturist/Physiotherapist (wonderful Chinese lady), and boy I am so glad I did. Apart from the Acupuncture, the exercises she gave me have worked brilliantly, and now I can walk properly again after 5 years!!! I get no more cracking, snapping, popping or collapsing. Obviously my hip itself isn't cured, and still has its limits (I believe I have Arthritis) but building up the muscle around the problem area has worked so well. I just wish I had known this years ago.

Like you, Stickysausages my hip would always hurt after swimming, but now its so much better. I feel like a new person, and I know that probably sounds a bit extreme, but the constant pain I had before made me so depressed. Ifoatw2, I would be interested in knowing what your stretching exercises are, and would be happy to share mine with you as well.