Dance Medicine

As a dancer, healthy feet are essential for your performance. The professionals at The Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center have extensive experience caring for the unique needs of dancers’ feet.

Dancers, especially those who study ballet, are at higher risk for many foot and ankle conditions, including:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Ankle impingement
• Ankle sprains
• Sesamoiditis

Several foot problems that are considered rare in people who don’t dance are common in dancers, including:

• Os trigonum syndrome, which may result from repeated pointing of the toes
• Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendonitis, also called trigger toe

Developing an injury that interferes with your passion can be devastating, but the team at The Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center has an excellent record of helping dancers return to dancing after treatment.

The type of symptoms you experience varies depending on the type and severity of your dance injury. Signs and symptoms of common dance injuries include:

• Visible foot deformity
• Limping
• Limited range of motion
• Foot pain and swelling
• Ankle pain and swelling

Your pain and symptoms may be mild at first and become more frequent and severe over time.  

First, our providers thoroughly reviews your symptoms and medical history. They perform a physical exam and check for signs of injury, like tenderness and swelling. They may also take imaging tests, such as an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

After they diagnose your condition, our team develops an individualized treatment plan to help you return to dance as quickly and safely as possible.

Depending on the type of injury you have, treatment may include:

• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Injections
• Custom braces or orthotics

If your condition is severe, our team may recommend surgery. They perform the most advanced procedures, including minimally invasive techniques like ankle arthroscopy for the fastest recovery time.

For expert care of all types of dance injuries, call The Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center or request an appointment online today.