Coxa Saltans: The Snapping Hip Revisited

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Anatomy

Background:

• Coxa saltans, commonly known as snapping hip, is a condition characterized by an audible or palpable snapping sensation during hip movement.
• It can arise from external, internal, or intra-articular causes, each with distinct anatomical origins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To categorize the causes of snapping hip.
• To outline diagnostic approaches for different types of snapping hip.
• To discuss management strategies for symptomatic cases.

Main Methods:

• Clinical examination is the primary diagnostic tool for external and internal snapping hip.
• Radiographic imaging, including bursography, CT, MRI, and arthrography, aids in diagnosis, especially for intra-articular causes.
• Review of existing literature on snapping hip etiology and treatment.

Main Results:

• External snapping hip involves the iliotibial band or gluteus maximus snapping over the greater trochanter.
• Internal snapping hip results from the iliopsoas musculotendinous unit snapping over deep structures.
• Intra-articular snapping hip is attributed to intra-articular pathologies.

Conclusions:

• Snapping hip can be categorized into external, internal, and intra-articular types.
• Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment, supplemented by various imaging modalities.
• Conservative management is typical for asymptomatic cases, with surgical intervention considered for persistent symptoms.