DANCERS EXPERIENCE MANY FOOT AND ANKLE PROBLEMS

Participating in ballet or modern dance puts an enormous amount of pressure and stress on the feet and ankles to produce all that graceful, fluid motion. So it is not very surprising that dancers are frequently seen in the podiatrist’s office for treatment of skin conditions and a variety of foot and ankle injuries and deformities.

 

Some of the injuries and problems often experienced by dancers include the following:
Fractures and other injuries—All the leaping and twirling often leads to falls and accidents which can cause sudden injuries like ankle sprains and bone fractures. Stress fractures can develop over time from all the continuous pounding. These can be very painful and difficult to treat. Plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and tendonitis are also very common in dancers.
Blisters and other skin conditions—The ballet slippers, dance heels, and pointe shoes that dancers wear can cause continuous irritation. This can result in blisters, corns, and calluses on the ankles, feet and toes. Care and isolation of these injuries with padding and orthotic inserts can help avoid complications such as bacterial or fungal nail infections.
A high prevalence of toe deformities—Deformed toenails, hammertoes, and bunions are a frequent occurrence in dancers. These occur because of the concentrated weight and pressure that pushes on their feet in tightly-fitting footwear.
To decrease the dangers of foot injuries while dancing and to help prevent future foot and ankle problems, it is essential for dancers to work closely with their foot care professional for the proper diagnoses and for ongoing preventive treatment. Consult with our board-certified podiatrists at Foot and Ankle Center of Fort Lee, LLC. The center offers convenient locations in Fort Lee NJ, Ringwood NJ, Flushing Queens NY, Woodhaven NY, Brooklyn NY, and Forest Hills NY. Contact us at (201) 363-9844 and schedule an appointment today!

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