This summer, the team at Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates (FASA) continues their mission to improve the quality of life for all members of our community by offering best care advice to our local dancers and their families.
There are many reasons why we dance, whether for fun, for performance or for health. Dance can be competitive, ceremonial or just an unforgettable social experience. Whether you are young or old, just beginning or a seasoned veteran, FASA wants to keep your feet and ankles strong and healthy, and in good working order.
Dr. Kevin Lind, DPM, FACFAS, teaches us not just how to detect and care for suspected injuries in the feet and ankles, but how to avoid future injuries as well.
Common Foot and Ankle Injuries Among Dancers
All forms of dancing push our bodies to expand their range and definition of normal movement. Sometimes, the speed of transitions between these movements can lead to unexpected injury. Dancing is also naturally hard on the lower extremities. Repetition, though required to reach mastery in new steps and sequences, is the prime culprit in overuse injuries.
“Over 50 percent of dance injuries occur in the foot and ankle,” says Lind. “The severity of the damage is determined by a patient’s age, strength and flexibility and the type of shoes worn when dancing.”
According to Lind, the most common injuries experienced by dancers include:
- Shin Splints: pain and swelling in the front of the lower legs, which develop and are aggravated by recurring activities, such as dancing
- Tendonitis: inflammation of the tendons in the foot and ankle, often the result of over exertion
- Stress Fractures: hairline breaks in the bone, the result of repeated jumping and landing
- Foot Neuromas: thickening of the nerve tissue in the ball of the foot that leads to painful irritation of the nerves, often resulting from repetitive pivoting
- Corns, Calluses or Blisters: all of which are painful skin irritations that occur when anything (usually your shoes) repeatedly rubs the skin of your foot
Dancers can also incur sudden, acute injuries due to falls, impact with props or other dancers on stage, or from a chronic injury that has been left untreated.
Are You at Risk for Injury?
Risk of injury is greater for new and younger dancers who spend most of their practice time learning unfamiliar movements, steps and routines. However, all dancers are susceptible to injury due to the nature of the sport. Dancing challenges both our muscular strength and aerobic limits, which lead to fatigue. When you’re tired, technique and posture are impacted. When your form fails, the possibility of injury increases. Dancers unfamiliar with their personal level of fitness are also at in increased risk of injury. Moving on to advanced steps before the basics have been mastered or over-training can be detrimental to a dancer’s progress.
What to Do When Injury is Suspected
While many soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains and bruises, can be treated with rest, ice, compression and elevation, simple first aid measures won’t always be enough. A FASA specialist can offer a proper diagnosis and plan of treatment specific to your individual needs. They can determine whether you can dance through your injury with modifications or if time off is necessary for complete healing.
Follow these simple steps if you suspect an injury while dancing:
- Stop
- Inform Your Instructor or Lead Member (If you have one)
- Call Your Doctor
“Most dance injuries can be treated with conservative care as long as they are addressed early and not ignored,” Lind says. “Many people dispel foot pain if they can walk on the foot, but it is important to remember it is possible to walk on a seriously injured foot. Plus, common injuries, if left untreated, may require surgical intervention to ensure proper healing.”
How to Prevent Injury Now and in the Future
“The best defense to injury is prevention,” Lind shares. “Dancers should wear appropriate shoes to properly support their feet and ankles as well as perform dance moves with their individual skill levels in mind.”
Other practices to prevent injury include:
- Stay hydrated before, during and after you dance. Your body cannot perform its best if you aren’t hydrated. Water keeps your joints healthy and increases your endurance.
- Allow your feet and ankles to prepare for dance with gentle stretches and movements as part of both a warm-up and cool-down routine.
- Rest between sessions, especially if you are new. Keeping your entire body in its best shape and resting muscles will allow them to better work and avoid unnecessary strain on your feet and ankles.
- Listen to and request input from your instructors and more experienced dancers who can help you examine your form, posture and technique to minimize opportunities for injury.
If you haven’t worked with FASA before, what will stand out the most is their team. Every member is committed to investing their time, energy and whole hearts into offering patient care that exceeds expectations, making them an easy choice for care if you or your little dancer are impacted by an injury. And, FASA has made accessing great care convenient with community clinics across the South Sound in Centralia, Olympia, Tumwater, Tacoma and Yelm.
To learn more about FASA, or to schedule an appointment, visit them online at the Foot and Ankle Surgical Associates website.
