People dance for a variety of reasons: for fun, recreation and for health. Dance can be social or performed for an audience. It can also be ceremonial or competitive. However, the range of body movements, repetition and speed of movement can put you at risk of an injury, particularly if you are new and learning unfamiliar steps. Some common injuries seen in dancers include hip impingement syndrome, dancer’s fracture, and hip labral tears.
Hip impingement syndrome. Also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), is a condition in which there is abnormal and wearing contact between the ball and socket of the hip joint. The result is increased friction during hip movements that may damage the joint. Symptoms include stiffness in the thigh, hip, or groin, the inability to flex the hip beyond a right angle, pain in the groin area, particularly after the hip has been flexed (such as after running or jumping or even extended periods sitting down) and pain in the hip, groin, or lower back that can occur at rest as well as during activity. To prevent FAI, dancers should maintain the strength and flexibility of the muscles surrounding the thigh, hip, and pelvis by concentrating on a dynamic stretching program that focuses on the hamstrings, quadriceps, and groin muscles, remembering to maintain muscle balance. Treatment for FAI includes reducing physical activity that causes pain, physiotherapy, pain management and injections. In some cases, surgical intervention is recommended.
Dancer’s fracture. A twisting injury to the ankle and foot may cause an avulsion (pulling off) fracture of the base of the 5th metatarsal – the bone that attaches the little toe to the midfoot. During an avulsion injury, a small fragment of bone at the base of the 5th metatarsal is pulled off by a strong ligament that is attached to this part of the bone. Symptoms include localized pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. Prevention includes wearing properly fitting shoes, not dancing through pain, paying close attention to correct technique, being mindful of the limits of your body, ensuring adequate strength around the ankle and foot and proper warm-up and cool-down. Once a dancer’s fracture is confirmed (via x-ray, MRI etc.), treatment includes resting for a few weeks. Typically, patients are placed in a walking boot. For the first few weeks, they will have to significantly limit their walking and should be given crutches. As the swelling settles and the fracture starts to heal, they can begin walking more extensively in the boot. Once the swelling has subsided, the patient may transition into a stiff-soled padded shoe. When there is complete displacement of the fracture fragments and union is unlikely, surgery is indicated. This injury may take many months to heal properly.
Labral tear. A hip labral tear involves the ring of cartilage (labrum) that follows the outside rim of the socket of your hip joint. In addition to cushioning the hip joint, the labrum acts like a rubber seal or gasket to help hold the ball at the top of your thighbone securely within your hip socket. Symptoms of a labral tear include a locking, clicking or catching sensation in your hip joint, pain in your hip or groin and stiffness or limited range of motion in your hip joint. Prevention includes conditioning the surrounding muscles with strength and flexibility exercises and trying to avoid loading your hip with your full body weight when your legs are in positions at the extreme ends of your hip’s normal range of motion. Treatment for a labral tear depends on the severity of the injury. Some dancers may be able to conservatively treat the injury with physiotherapy and a continued strengthening and flexibility program, others may need to undergo surgery to repair the tear or remove the damaged cartilage.
Aaron Armstrong, MPE, ATC
Athletic Trainer
Elite Sports Medicine Clinic at the Sports, Spine and Rehabilitation Centre
esmbahamas@gmail.com
Aaron Armstrong holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA in Athletic Training and has been a Board Certified Athletic Trainer since 2012. He also earned a Master of Physical Education degree in Athletic Administration from Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID.
Our certified sports medicine team can help prevent and treat injuries to keep you performing at your best.
Our professional sports health care team at Elite Sports Medicine are US board certified health care professionals. We offer the highest level of sports injury care in the Bahamas for youth athletes, professional athletes and even the weekend warriors.