Dancer’s Ankle and Foot Injuries Need Treatment – Visit Healthpointe in Anaheim
Ankle And Foot Injuries in Dancers: Why They Matter
The graceful beauty of ballet dancers can be deceiving. The demanding biomechanics particularly on the feet and ankles involved in ballet means that injuries (foot and ankle injuries) and their subsequent symptoms, such as pain, swelling and redness, are inevitable.
Fortunately, a deeper understanding of the technical, anatomical and artistic issues of the foot and ankle movements can reduce the risks of injuries. Keep in mind that while foot and ankle injuries are unavoidable, you can reduce the frequency, severity and duration of injuries with the goal of keeping dancers’ on their toes, literally and figuratively, for as long as possible.
Why are dancers’ feet and ankles so significant in their dance career, you ask? Your success as a ballet dancer partly rests on strong, healthy and functioning ankles and feet because these form the connection between your body and mind as the artist on stage. Your movements involving these body parts are closely interrelated as they help express and form the aesthetics of your entire dance.
The bottom line: Without your feet and ankles, your personal expressions of your art will be impossible.
However, the most frequently injured body parts among ballet dancers are the ankles. Studies have shown that up to 57% of all dance-related injuries affect the ankles with overuse injuries being more common than traumatic injuries. The higher incidence of overuse injuries can be attributed to two main factors; namely, the repetitive nature involved in ballet training and the inability of the tissues (and muscle tissues) in withstanding the strenuous demands placed on them.
What are the most common ankle injuries for dancers? The most common ankle injuries among dancers are lateral sprains (traumatic injury) as well as flexor hallucis longus tendinopathy and Achilles tendinopathy (overuse injuries). Both require medical attention so as to prevent complications that can temporarily derail, if not completely stop, your career at its peak.
The high incidence of overuse injuries in the ankles especially the so-called dancer’s fracture and lateral sprain can be attributed to the demanding positions. Dancers spend significant periods performing relevé, which places considerable strain on the fifth metatarsal and the anterior talofibular ligament.
The feet are not spared from injuries either. The most common traumatic injuries in the feet are spiral fracture in the fifth metatarsal shaft and bifurcate ligament sprain. The most common overuse injuries are plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, and metatarsal stress fractures.
While your pain tolerance may be high and you want to maintain the appearance of being in control of your pain, you should always listen to the signals that your body says. Keep in mind that your career, even your life, will depend on it.
When you require medical attention for your issues in the feet and ankles, be sure to have them checked by the Healthpointe doctors. Go to their clinic at Anaheim, which also serves the needs of Fullerton, Placentia, Villa Park, Buena Park, Cypress, Cerritos, and Garden Grove residents.
About Healthpointe:
Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles county, Orange county, San Bernardino county and Riverside county). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Anaheim, which is conveniently located near Whittier, La Habra, Norwalk, Cerritos, Buena Park and Santa Fe Springs. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit https://healthpointe.net/.