As beautiful and graceful as ballet may be, it places incredible demands on a dancer’s body, especially their feet. Competitive or professional dancers may practice for hours a day, leading to blisters, sprained ankles, and various foot problems. The following are a few of the most common injuries sustained by ballet dancers and tips for staying healthy.

What Foot Injuries Are Ballet Dancers Prone to?

1. Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon, which runs up the back of the leg, connects several major muscles and provides stability for leaping and jumping. Overuse can cause tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon characterized by stiffness and chronic pain in the calf or heel of the foot.

Eventually, the tendon may rupture, leaving a dancer immobilized for months. Fortunately, tendonitis can be treated with a combination of anti-inflammatory steroids, physical therapy, and rest.

2. Sprained Ankles

Dancers are continually jumping, twisting, and rapidly changing direction, which make sprained ankles extremely common. A sprain involves damage to the ligaments holding the joint together, and will usually get worse without treatment.

Fortunately, sprained ankles rarely require surgery. By avoiding unnecessary activity, keeping the foot elevated, and using a cold compress, most dancers can fully recover in one to three weeks.

3. Stress Fractures

Most bone breaks are sudden and dramatic, but others develop slowly after repeated pressure. As the tiny bones in the feet absorb the impact of jumping and landing, small fractures may start to form. At first, you may not even notice, but these accumulated breaks can eventually cause serious foot problems.

Stress fractures usually don’t require surgical intervention, but they need six to eight weeks to heal. Your doctor may recommend wearing special footwear to protect the damaged bone while it heals.

With board-certified specialists offering the latest techniques and innovations, Choice Podiatry Associates proudly serves dancers and athletes throughout the Cincinnati, Ohio, area with three convenient locations, including Bridgetown Road, Montgomery Road, and Reading Road. No matter what foot problems you’re dealing with, their experienced, caring team will provide the relief and treatment options you need to get back on stage as quickly as possible. Visit their website for an overview of their services, or call (513) 574-2424 to schedule an appointment.