Question
my daughter is training to be a professional dancer.she has popping and pain where the ball and socket joint of the hip. The doctors have told her she has overused a tendon.She has not danced on it for six weeks but the pain and popping is still ther when she moves her leg to the side,kicking her leg up in front she is due to go back to college in september. What do you recommend for her she has been told to take anti inflammatory tablets to help
she needs to get sorted as the college course is intense.
any advice you could giv e would be greatly appreciated
thank you
susan hymer

Answer
Susan,

This is called "Snapping Hip" syndrome and it likely is coming from the psoas tendon on the inside of the hip.  The snap is often felt along the front/inside margin of the hip, at the groin, and is often replicated with hip flexion and extension movements.   You can likely find lots of info if you "google" snapping hip syndrome.  For some young women there can be involvement of the proximal hamstring tendon at the origin of the hamstring located on the ischeal tuberosity (the butt bone you sit on).  First, there is no logical reason to be taking antiinflammatories.  Likely, nothing is swollen.  Most young athletes grow out of this condition.  Some need treatment in the form of manual therapy to the tendon, its contiguous muscle, and the joint system it overlays (e.g. hip joint, pelvic joint).  Why some young females respond to an injection into the hamstring area remains a mystery, but it has been done successfully by one of the doc's in the sports med department at Childrens Hosp' in Boston.  A sports chiropractor adept at extremity joint manipulation long with myofascial release work and other soft tissue methods should be helpful.  'Good if you can find one close to you from this site: www.acbsp.com    Your daughter should also be tested for strength.  If she has any underlying weakness to the hamstrings, adductors, or hip rotators, then this must be addressed.  Lastly, of course, is that the sports chiropractor run through orthopedic exam to rule out any other problems.  

'Hope this helps,

Dr. G