A Guide to Common Dance Injuries: Podiatry Today

"A Guide To Common Dance Injuries

Anterior impingement syndrome. Typically anterior ankle capsule pain can be reproduced by demi plie. This impingles the capsule.  It can become very irritated and "stuck," as the dancer describes it.

Posterior impingement syndrome. When an os trigonum is present at the posterior ankle, going up onto pointe may become very uncomfortable. The ossicle or capsule can get impinged and the flexor hallucis longus tendon may get inflamed as well. If the pointed foot position is too far forward or ligamentous laxity is present, the tibia may ride too far back onto the talar dome and cause the impingement.

Stress fracture. Similar to athletes in other sports, dancers typically experience stress fractures of the second or third metatarsal. Increased jumping and landing may be the cause of this injury. Nutritional deficits or amenorrhea may predispose the dancer to this as well.

Dancer’s fracture. This is a spiral fracture of the fifth metatarsal. It usually occurs in the distal third of the shaft. This injury may occur while rolling off pointe, and may involve a lateral ankle sprain in addition. One can usually manage a dancer’s fracture conservatively with a walking cast.*"

Any of this sound familiar?  If you are experience any pain as a result of your dance training, seek medical treatment.  The sooner you seek treatment for an injury, the less time you will have to spend off the dance floor. Contact us at 419-423-1888 to schedule an appointment or visit our website.

Source: podiatrytoday