4 Common Ankle Injuries in Dancers
In any sport or activity that puts demands on the body, injuries can occur, and dance is no different. Some of the most common injuries seen in physical therapy clinics in regards to dancers, are injuries related to the foot and ankle. The following information serves to help educate dancers on some of the more common ankle injuries, along with techniques that could be applied to help minimize the risk of these injuries. It is important to note that only a licensed medical professional can diagnose an ankle injury.
To the Pointe: Common Foot and Ankle Injuries Among Dancers
Dancers are often known for the beautiful lines and shapes they can achieve with their bodies. They are able to spin on the tips of their toes and jump high into the air, landing ever so gracefully on their feet. Due to the demands of the sport, it is not a surprise that foot and ankle injuries account for more than half of the injuries sustained by pre-professional and professional ballet dancers.1 Read below to learn about some of the most common foot and ankle injuries that impact dancers.
Did I Sprain My Ankle?
Most people have rolled their ankle at some point in their lives – we step funny on grass, land strange after a jump, or even step off a step wrong and the ankle just twists a little (or a lot). But how do you recognize if you sprained your ankle or if it is a more serious injury?
The Healing Process of an Ankle Fracture
As all NBA fans know, the first major injury of the 2017-2018 season occurred to star guard of the Boston Celtics, Gordon Hayward. Gordon suffered an ankle fracture 5 minutes and 15 seconds into the start of the season.
6 Ways to Prevent Ankle Sprains
An estimated 25,000 Americans suffer from an ankle sprain each day according to research from the American College of Sports Medicine.
