When doing half cresents with my left leg, towards the end of movement, when i'm putting my foot back on the ground my hip pops. Its not always painful, but you can hear it quite well. I had a session with a personal trainer who evaluated me and is guiding me on opening up my hip to achieve more flexibility and he said i am very tight.
Increased flexibility enhances the leverage of the joint's bones, causing greater frequency in popping or clicking. If painless, and followed by the feeling of release of tension, then it is harmless. The cracking sound can result from gas dissolving out of synovial fluid in the joint, a ligament or tendon catching on and then slipping over a bony prominence, muscle tightness or degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis.
The nature of noises in the joints is best determined by a qualified physician. A common cause of painful snapping sounds from the hip may be caused by the iliofemoral ligament moving over the head of the femur during either hip flexion or abduction. The ligament can become enflamed, leading to a number of disorders such as bursitis. If frequent pain occurs, get it checked out.
