Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
August 26, 2019
Dancers sure do show off some fancy footwork! But all those specialized, controlled movements with your feet leave you as a dancer susceptible to foot and ankle injuries. Here’s a list of 4 of the most common foot and ankle injuries that dancers are diagnosed with, and when you might need to see a foot doctor for an examination, diagnosis, and treatment plan to get your back on center stage.
1. Ankle Sprains
Sprained ankles are not only common injuries for everyday Frisco residents but for dancers, too. In fact, it’s the most common acute injury with which dancers are diagnosed. The reason dancers experience sprained ankles at such a high frequency is because all those dances they do require them to move the ankles frequently and in specific movements. A little slip up here or there and you can inadvertently force your ankle out of its normal range of motion. This can result in a sprained ankle with overstretched muscles or even tears to its ligaments.
Just because sprained ankles are common, doesn’t mean you don’t need to see a foot doctor. In fact, seeing a podiatrist like RNV Podiatry’s Dr. Verville is important to not only get an accurate diagnosis but to get the grade of your sprain diagnosed. Your personalized treatment and rehabilitation plan will depend on the grade of your ankle sprain.
2. Achilles Tendonitis
The Achilles tendon is the most powerful tendon in the human body. Stretching along the back of the leg from the heel to the lower calf, it’s the tendon that allows us to walk, not to mention dance.
The Achilles tendon can become damaged and inflamed from overuse and overtraining. If you’re dancing for hours a day, always make sure you properly stretch your calves before you start and take frequent breaks to stretch your calves in between your dance routines. And if you suspect an injury to your Achilles tendon, make sure to see a foot doctor as soon as possible.
3. Trigger Toe (also known as Flexor Hallucis Longus Tenosynovitis)
Ballet dancers – this one’s for you. Another dance injury that Frisco dancers may experience is commonly called trigger toe. With this injury, excessive use of the muscle that actively points the big toe causes the muscle to become inflamed. Go to local podiatrist Dr. Verville if you suspect you have this dancing injury.
4. Ankle Impingement
Sometimes the tissues at the ankle – the tibia and talus – can become pinched. This injury can occur at the front or back of the ankle. If you are experiencing ankle impingement, you’ll likely experience discomfort at the front or back of the ankle, and require physical therapy to recover.
Dr. Verville is Frisco’s Foot Doctor for Local Dancers
Whether you’re a performance dancer or you just like to salsa on the weekends, it’s important that you know of a great foot doctor in the Frisco area in case you encounter one of these injuries. If you dance and you think you’ve injured your foot or ankle, call RNV Podiatry today at (214) 385-8822.
