Hip conditions

Snapping hip syndrome (internal and external)

This condition is cause by tight tendons flicking over bony
prominences around the hip. There is often an audible click or clunk which may
or may not be painful. External snapping hip is when the TFL (tensor fascia
lata) muscle flicks around the bony prominence called the greater trochanter at
the lateral side of the hip. Internal snapping hip is where the hip flexor
tendon (Iliopsoas) flicks over the hip joint and this is felt more in the
groin.

Both can be treated initially with physio to help stretch and elongate the muscle and tendon so its not so tight. Surgery is sometimes needed when the symptoms persist despite physio. Surgery involves releasing or lengthening the tendon or muscle.

Further information can be viewed here https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/snapping-hip/

Perthes

Perthes disease or Legg-Calve-Perthes disease was simultaneously described by an American, a Frenchman and a German, thus the 3 names.

It’s a condition specific to the hips or younger children with symptoms of hip, leg or knee pain often starting at anything from age 2-9 years old. For reasons that are not well understood, the blood supply to the hip is interrupted and the femoral head weakens and may collapse (avascular necrosis). There is no specific treatment to prevent this and the blood supply does come back but the whole disease process can take a couple of years to run its course. In younger children, generally under 6 at onset of symptoms, the femoral head tends to heal with a fairly spherical shape thus leading to a good outcome. In older children (over 6) the head may deform more leading to a final flatter shaped head and so more prone to arthritis.

Good, reliable sources of information on the web for perthes can be found at…

https://perthesdisease.org/

https://www.stepsworldwide.org/product/perthes-disease-parents-guide/