Foot Problems Related to Ballet

Ballet dancers have experienced foot problems since the first dancer squeezed her foot into a pointe shoe. The combination of several factors, such as repetition of certain dance exercises, as well as the structure of pointe shoes, can cause serious foot injuries for ballet dancers, both male and female.

Significance

A ballet dancer's professional career is relatively short and not without its share of pain and injuries. Sadly, many dancers neglect treatment out of fear, and thus create more problems that can prematurely end their career. Knowledge of foot problems, plus proper care and treatment, is essential for the dancer.

Types

Because ballet dancers must "feel" the floor, they wear leather slippers that provide little protection or support. So a dancer's shoes lead to several foot problems. Sesamoiditis, when the small bones and the tendons connected to the big toe (sesamoids) become stressed or even fractured, can cause pain under the ball of the foot. Nearly every dancer will experience bunions, the bony bump on the edge of the big toe joint. Bunions can be painful, and often swelling occurs. Plus, the constant friction between the toes and shoe can make bunions worse. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, a dense band of tissue stretching from the heels to the toes, is strained through overuse. Pain at the inside base of the heel and arch indicates this foot problem. Nueromas, which can feel like burning or tingling pains shooting from the ball of the foot to the toes, is caused by the nerves being squeezed between the toes. Nerves can become swollen and even permanently scarred. Stress fractures are always a problem for dancers and can occur in any bone. However, the most common bone in the foot affected by stress fracture is the second metatarsal. The area may be tender and later show signs of swelling. Achilles tendonitis is yet another common foot problem among dancers. Since the Achilles tendon runs down the leg to the heel, the pain presents itself in the heel of the foot with tightness, soreness and swelling of the tendon.

Considerations

A dancer should take extra care when buying dance shoes, replacing worn shoes immediately. Also, dancers should seek medical attention at the first sign of pain and/or injury.

Warning

Dancers can risk serious, long-term damage by pushing through the pain associated with many foot problems. It is important to see a doctor who understands the professional dancer's challenges and needs. For example, bunion surgery should be avoided during a dancer's career as it can negatively impact range of motion.

Prevention/Solution

Most foot problems can be addressed with the use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, ice treatment and rest. Oftentimes, taping the affected area can bring relief. It is absolutely necessary for a dancer to wear properly-fitted dance shoes as well as street shoes. Equally important for dancers is proper nutrition. Lack of sufficient calories, fat and calcium lead to poor bone density, making a dancer much more susceptible to stress fractures.