As a Dance Podiatrist I obviously have a keen eye for anything dance related, particularly when it relates to foot and ankle injury. I came across this article which surveyed injuries in 195 dancers. http://ausdance.org.au/news/article/fatigue-major-contributor-to-injury-in-australias-professional-dancers

Out of the 195 dancers surveyed 97% had experienced at least one significant injury in their dance career (which is almost 10% more than in 1999). 73% of dancers have had a dance related injury in the last 12 months and 48% of dancers feel that their injury is fatigue related.

Injuries can be detrimental to a dancer’s career causing missed performance opportunities, loss of income, long term pain or disability, specialist/medical appointments or possibly an early retirement.

Due to recent spikes in safe dance practices, workshops, technique masterclasses and implementing specialised healthcare services in early teaching and pre professional training gives dancers education and early intervention to their injury. These strategies can be a key factor in reducing the amount of dance related injuries.

The most common injury site for a dancer is the ankle including strains, sprains and chronic inflammation.

It was fantastic to read that 75% of dancers did say that they would seek a professional opinion for their injury, however that does leave 25% without professional advice.

It is important to seek the opinion of a suitably qualified health practitioner (eg a Dance Podiatrist) to create improved and realistic expectations to the injury, understand the capacity to dance and the ability and timeframe to return to full dance ability.

Sarah Bowling is a Podiatrist with Eastern Foot Care. She has a special interest in Dance Podiatry and is a fully qualified Ballet teacher. As a dancer herself she understands the challenges faced by dancers and is an expert at managing dance-related injuries.