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What Causes Popping Sensation On Leg With Pain On Movements?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Jun 2014
Question: My right leg occasionally will pop on the upper side on the right and I have pain for a moment. It seems to happen if I should turn my leg quickly or walk in the grass. I take advil and it helps. Didn't have it all winter but as soon as the humidity it started.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
ITB syndrome - trochanteric bursitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the question.

By the upper side on the right I'm assuming you mean near you hip joint.

A common cause for this sensation on the outside of the hip is iliotibial band syndrome and trochanteric bursitis.

The iliotibial band is a long piece of fascia that runs down the outside of the leg from the top of the pelvis to the outside of the shin bone. It can pop or clunk back and forth over the greater trochanter of the femur bone on the outside of the hip.

This area can become inflamed. There is a fluid sac there called a bursae which helps lubricated the area if this is inflamed it is called a trochanteric bursitis.

It is a common problem that can be helps by physio for stretching of the iliotibial band and strengthening of the hip musculature. Antiinflammatory medication as you have found can be of benefit and cortisone shots into the bursae itself.

I hope this information helps you.

Best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (11 hours later)
Thank you for this response Dr.

Could I have aggravated my leg muscles by stretching too hard. I some times stretch to the limit with my leg up on a seat holding my foot and bending to stretch out the leg muscles.

What excersize should I do to help this problem?

Thank you for your responses.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Possible muscle strain

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your follow up question.

Yes you can strain a muscle with hard stretching particularly if your muscles are not warmed up. Sometimes better to do a light warm up and then stretch or stretch at the end of your activity.

You described a popping sensation earlier on the outside of your hip which is consistent with an ITB sydrome. Stretching the ITB would help as suggested above.

If you have a muscle strain then the best thing to do is to reduce your excercise levels at present until the discomfort improves. I usually tell my patients to stop excercising until there limp dissappears.

The symptoms from muscle strains can unfortnately persist for a number of weeks. Gentle physio therapy early on in the course of the injury and rehab can benefit you and most good physio's can tailor a programme to get you back to full health.

I hope this answers you question.

Best wishes
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Karl Logan

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 705 Questions

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What Causes Popping Sensation On Leg With Pain On Movements?

Brief Answer: ITB syndrome - trochanteric bursitis Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the question. By the upper side on the right I'm assuming you mean near you hip joint. A common cause for this sensation on the outside of the hip is iliotibial band syndrome and trochanteric bursitis. The iliotibial band is a long piece of fascia that runs down the outside of the leg from the top of the pelvis to the outside of the shin bone. It can pop or clunk back and forth over the greater trochanter of the femur bone on the outside of the hip. This area can become inflamed. There is a fluid sac there called a bursae which helps lubricated the area if this is inflamed it is called a trochanteric bursitis. It is a common problem that can be helps by physio for stretching of the iliotibial band and strengthening of the hip musculature. Antiinflammatory medication as you have found can be of benefit and cortisone shots into the bursae itself. I hope this information helps you. Best wishes