Snapping hip or shoulder

A snapping hip or shoulder happens when you feel or hear a popping, clicking or snapping sensation during movement. This typically happens when a tendon or muscle moves over a bone, or when subtle changes inside the joint affect how soft tissues glide together. For some people, the snapping is painless and harmless. For others, it may cause discomfort, inflammation or limit daily activity. Novant Health orthopedic specialists can help identify the cause and guide you toward a treatment plan that fits your goals.

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Medical illustration highlighting pain in the shoulder joint.

Anatomy of the hip or shoulder

The hip and shoulder are both ball-and-socket joints built for a wide range of motion. Smooth, pain-free movement depends on balanced muscles, healthy tendons and cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the joint as it moves.

When muscles become tight, tendons become inflamed or structures inside the joint shift slightly, movement can trigger a snapping sensation. Most often, this happens when a tendon slides over a bony prominence. In some cases, it may point to a change inside the joint itself, such as cartilage irritation or a small tear. Identifying the source of the snapping helps determine the right path toward relief.

Overview

Symptoms

You may be experiencing a snapping hip or shoulder if you notice:

Clicking, popping or snapping during movement
Mild or sharp pain, especially after activity
A catching or locking sensation
Localized tenderness or swelling
Tightness or reduced range of motion
Weakness or fatigue during exercise

Many people first notice snapping without any discomfort. If pain develops or movement becomes restricted, it's important to seek care early.

Causes

The causes of snapping hip or shoulder depend on which joint is affected and which tissues are involved.

Snapping hip, sometimes called coxa saltans, has three primary types:

External snapping hip (most common): The iliotibial (IT) band or gluteus maximus tendon moves over the greater trochanter, the outer hip bone, creating a snapping sensation along the outside of the hip
Internal snapping hip: The iliopsoas tendon shifts over bony structures at the front of the hip, often triggered by running, stair climbing or rising from a chair
Intra-articular snapping hip: Problems within the joint itself, such as cartilage damage or a labral tear, can cause deeper clicking, catching or locking sensations

Snapping shoulder often results from similar mechanics:

Tendon movement: The biceps tendon or other shoulder tendons shift over bone during arm motion
Inflammation: Irritation between the shoulder blade and chest wall may create a grinding or snapping sensation
Labral injury: A tear in the labrum, the cartilage rim that stabilizes the shoulder, can cause catching or popping
Repetitive overhead activity: Throwing, swimming, lifting or other repetitive motions can irritate soft tissues over time

Repetitive motion, high-impact sports and muscle tightness can all increase the likelihood of snapping sensations in either joint.

Risk factors

Certain factors can make snapping hip or shoulder more likely to develop, including:

Participation in high-impact or repetitive sports, such as running, dancing or swimming
Muscle tightness around the hip or shoulder
Repetitive overhead motion, such as throwing or lifting
Previous joint or tendon injury

Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you'll develop symptoms. It simply means it's worth paying attention to how your joints feel during activity.

Diagnosis

Our orthopedic specialists take a patient-centered approach to identifying the source of your symptoms. Your evaluation may include a detailed medical history and discussion of your activity patterns, a physical examination to assess motion, strength and alignment, and functional testing to reproduce and pinpoint the snapping. Imaging, such as X-rays to evaluate bone structure or MRI and ultrasound to assess tendons, cartilage and soft tissue, may also be used. We explain your diagnosis clearly so you understand what's happening and why.

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Our board-certified specialists are here to help you heal. They can often diagnose the problem in one visit and get you started with a personalized treatment plan. We offer a wide variety of treatment options.