OVERUSE INJURIES IN CLASSICAL BALLET

Successful management of classical ballet dancers with overuse injurie s requires an understanding of the art form, precise knowledge of anat omy and awareness of certain conditions. Turnout is the single most fu ndamental physical attribute in classical ballet and 'forcing turnout' frequently contributes to overuse injuries. Common presenting conditi ons arising from the foot and ankle include problems at the first meta tarsophalangeal joint, second metatarsal stress fractures, flexor hall ucis longus tendinitis and anterior and posterior ankle impingement sy ndromes. Persistent shin pain in dancers is often due to chronic compa rtment syndrome, stress fracture of the posteromedial or anterior tibi a. Knee pain can arise from patellofemoral syndrome, patellar tendon i nsertional pathologies, ora comination of both. Hip and back problems are also prevalent in dancers. To speed injury recovery of dancers, it is important for the sports medicine team to cooperate fully. This pe rmits the dancer to benefit from accurate diagnosis, technique correct ion where necessary, the full range of manual therapies to joint and s oft tissue, appropriate strengthening programmes and maintenance of da nce fitness during any time out of class with Pilates-based exercises and nutrition advice. Most overuse ballet conditions respond well to a combination of conservative therapies. Those dancers that do require surgical management still depend heavily on ballet-specific rehabilita tion for a complete recovery.