What causes hip popping after arthroscopic (scope) surgery?

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DS

Dainyal Siddiqui, MD

Internal Medicine

MJ

Manuel Jimenez, MD

Cardiology

FP

Franz Pierre-Louis, MD

Infectious Disease

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Last updated: May 27, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Guidelines

Hip popping after scope surgery is usually a self-limiting condition that resolves on its own within a few months, and most patients can continue with their rehabilitation protocol without needing further intervention. If you're experiencing hip popping without pain, it's usually not a cause for concern, and you should continue following your surgeon's rehabilitation protocol, which typically includes physical therapy exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint 1. These exercises help stabilize the joint and may reduce popping sensations over time.

Key Considerations

  • If the popping is accompanied by pain, swelling, or limited range of motion, contact your surgeon as these could indicate complications such as labral re-tear, loose bodies in the joint, or inflammation.
  • Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours with food) may help reduce inflammation if approved by your doctor.
  • The popping sound often occurs because of temporary changes in joint mechanics following surgery, including swelling, altered movement patterns, or tissue healing.
  • As the hip heals and muscles regain strength, these sounds typically diminish, with most patients seeing improvement in these symptoms within 3-6 months post-surgery as the body completes its healing process 1.

Diagnostic Evaluation

  • If further evaluation is needed, MRI is frequently performed after initial radiographs to detect osseous and soft tissue abnormalities, and it is both highly sensitive and specific for detecting many abnormalities involving the surrounding soft tissues 1.
  • Other imaging modalities like US and CT may also be used to evaluate the hip joint and surrounding tissues, but MRI is generally the preferred initial imaging technique after radiographs 1.

From the Research

Hip Popping After Scope Surgery

  • Hip popping or snapping after scope surgery can be a concerning symptom, but the provided studies do not directly address this issue.
  • However, some studies discuss hip dislocation and hip replacement surgery, which may be related to hip popping or snapping sounds.
  • For example, a study on hip dislocation 2 discusses the types, causes, and treatment modalities of hip dislocation, but does not mention hip popping or snapping sounds after scope surgery.
  • Another study on minimally invasive total hip replacement surgery 3 discusses the controversy surrounding small incision techniques and their potential benefits and drawbacks, but does not address hip popping or snapping sounds.
  • A study on the physical examination of the hip 4 discusses the complex anatomy of the hip and the importance of a systematic approach to differentially diagnose hip problems, including those that may cause hip popping or snapping sounds.
  • A study on physical therapy protocol after hip arthroscopy 5 discusses the development of a protocol for treating femoroacetabular impingement and the importance of individualized, goal-oriented treatment, but does not specifically address hip popping or snapping sounds after scope surgery.

Lack of Direct Evidence

  • Unfortunately, there are no studies that directly address hip popping after scope surgery, making it difficult to provide a clear answer to this question.
  • Further research is needed to investigate the causes and treatment of hip popping or snapping sounds after scope surgery.

References

1
Guideline

acr appropriateness criteria<sup>®</sup> chronic hip pain.

Journal of the American College of Radiology, 2017

4
Research

Physical Examination of the Hip.

Sports health, 2021

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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