Dance Injury
Dance can be physically demanding and the pressure placed on the foot and ankle can increase the risk of developing an injury. Ballet dancers also have added risk of foot and ankle injury because of specific positions that can add stress to the toes and the ball of the foot.
Causes
Common dancer injuries include:
- Dancer’s Fracture or fifth metatarsal fracture is the result of a bad landing on the outside portion of the foot or twisting the ankle.
- Lateral Ankle Sprain is a common injury among athletes. This may happen from landing awkwardly from a jump.
- Bunions (Hallux Valgus) do not usually develop because of dancing but might be worsened by tight-fitting shoes and repetitive irritation to the big toe joint.
- Stress Fracture may happen from too much repetitive loading (activity) of the foot, which causes the bones to weaken. This may cause pain and swelling.
- Ankle Impingement Syndrome, may be at the front or back of the ankle and is related to bone structures that pinch the soft tissue when the ankle is pointed in one direction or the other.
Fifth Metatarsal Fracture (Jones Fracture)
A Jones fracture occurs in the fifth metatarsal — the long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is caused by repeated strain on the plantar fascia, the ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes, supporting the arch of the foot.
Stress Fracture
A stress fracture is a small crack or severe bruising within a bone and is mostly caused by overuse and repetitive activities.
Tendinopathy and Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the resulting inflammation from tendinopathy (or tendinosis), a common overuse injury caused by frequent and long-term excessive compression.
Symptoms
Claw Toe
A claw toe is a toe that is contracted at the PIP and DIP joints (middle and end joints in the toe), and can lead to severe pressure and pain.
Hammertoe
A hammertoe is a toe that is bent all the time because of a weakened muscle. They can be hereditary, but can also be caused by shoes that are too short.
Potential Treatments
Dancers are exposed to a wide range of risk factors for injury. If any of your injuries cause bleeding, severe pain, loss of sensation, or increased weakness, contact a doctor immediately. Other pain due to overuse or mild injuries can be treated by rest and taking prescribed pain relievers. Swelling and pain can also be treated with alternating ice and heat therapy.
Regenerative Medicine Treatments
Regenerative medicine involves the delivery of growth factors to injured joints and tissues to promote the healing process.
