For dancers, ankle injuries can feel like a universal side effect of advancing in this art form. While some injuries are unavoidable, a misstep that you can’t anticipate, others are signs of overuse, poor form, and other issues that put unnecessary strain on this crucial joint. Here are a few common ankle issues that orthopedic doctors typically see in dancers.
Types of Injuries Many Dancers Face
- Ankle Sprains
Sprains are injuries to the ligaments around the ankles. While treatment is usually not surgical, ankle sprains can keep a dancer off the dance floor until they heal. This common sports injury plagues many dancers, especially if they do not allow full recovery before returning to dance. Ankle sprains usually involve the lateral ankle ligaments, the anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, posterior calcaneofibular ligament of anterior tibiofibular ligament.Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) are initial treatments. Orthopedic doctors may suggest bracing, a walking cast or crutches depending on the severity of the sprain. To speed recovery and prevent future issues, they may also prescribe physical therapy, which can help decrease inflammation and swelling, strengthen the muscles and improve range of motion.
- Stress Fractures
Another common injury for dancers are stress fractures. Repetitive activity, high impact jumping and overuse can place a lot of stress on the ankle joint. This increased stress can cause cracks to develop in the bones. A dancer can be at increased risk for this if their bones are weakened due to osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency.Continuing to dance or “working through the pain” can lead delay healing and lead to more severe injuries. Treatment of stress fractures includes rest and may require immobilization or surgery. Dancers who have a stress fracture have no choice but to stop dancing until the fracture heals.
- Tendon Issues
For many dancers, their art form requires a technique known as “en pointe,” where they balance on the tip of their toes by way of a block in their shoes. This movement places the ankle in a position of hyperplantarflexion. The flexor hallucis longus (FHL tendon) runs from behind the ankle posteriorly, medially around the medial malleolus, and under the foot to the big toe. This tendon can become inflamed, a condition known as tenosynovitis.Orthopedic doctors will examine you to determine if this is the source of your pain. Nonsurgical treatment includes rest, activity modification, NSAIDs and physical therapy. Surgery may be required if the pain is persistent despite nonsurgical treatment. Surgery may include tenosynovectomy with tendon debridement and repair if there are tears.
- Os Trigonum Syndrome
Some people have a small bone called an os trigonum at the back of the talus. In most people an os trigonum does not cause symptoms and the majority of people don’t ever realize it exists. Due to the extreme plantarflexion of the en pointe position, many dancers encounter excruciating pain because of impingement of this bone in back of the ankle.Treatment by your orthopedic doctor may include activity modification, NSAIDs, immobilization and possible steroid injection. Surgery to remove the os trigonum may be necessary if other treatment does not relieve pain.
Dancers have a responsibility to care for their bodies to help them tolerate rigorous training. Having a trusted orthopedic doctor is a crucial part of this process, and the team at Advanced Orthopaedic Associates has the expertise to diagnose and manage conditions ranging from joint pain to acute injuries. For more information and to schedule a consultation with this Wayne, NJ, based orthopedic doctor’s office call (973) 839-5700 today.
