[Anterior snapping of the hip associated with the ilial psoas]

Anterior snapping of the hip was first described in 1951 by Nunziata and Blumenfeld. The aim of this study, based upon a personal series and backed up by literature reports, is a current review of this common clinical condition, usually asymptomatic, but sometimes painful especially in athletes.

12 cases in 11 patients were treated surgically: 4 men and 7 women, mean age 25 years, 7 of them regularly involved in sport. The onset of the snapping was sudden in 6 cases, related to a precise movement, while in 6 cases pain preceded the gradual development of snapping. Pain may coincide with snapping, or may be of a "chronic" nature after exercise. The problem had been present for 2 years on average before treatment. Surgery consisted of posterior psoas aponeurotic fascia division and was sufficient in 11 cases. In one patient, disappearance of snapping was obtained only after division of the ilio-femoral ligaments. Mean postoperative follow-up was 6.5 years (1 to 12 years). Pain disappeared in all patients. A slight, intermittent and asymptomatic snapping persisted in 3 cases. All athletes regained their previous performance level.

CLINICAL: Symptoms consist of a dull, deep clicking sensation in the groin during active mobilization of the hip. It never occurs with passive mobilization. The entire problem is that of attributing painful symptomatology to snapping. ANATOMICAL STUDY: In almost all cases, snapping is due to a sudden movement of the psoas aponeurotic fascia on the ilio-pectinate eminence. Other causes have been reported: ilio-femoral ligaments on the femoral head, rectus femoris or psoas tendon on bony crests or of psoas on the cotyloid cup of an artificial hip.

These are primarily designed to rule out any other cause of snapping or inguinal pain (foreign body, acetabular labrum lesion, etc). Bursography and dynamic ultrasonography identify the snapping site, but it is sometimes difficult to confirm that this is responsible for painful symptoms.

If such responsibility is confirmed, and if any psychological component can be ruled out, this should first be "medical" by stretching and local injections in the serous bursa. Surgery should consist in division of the psoas aponeurotic fascia, leaving the muscle fibers intact. The procedure should be performed under sensory epidural anesthetic, the only way of ensuring peroperatively that snapping has disappeared. Division of the psoas distal tendon at the lesser trochanter is not appropriate.