Walls RJ, Brennan SA, Hodnett P, O'Byrne JM, Eustace SJ, Stephens MM. Overuse ankle injuries in professional Irish dancers.
Foot Ankle Surg 2010;
16:45-9. [PMID:
20152755 DOI:
10.1016/j.fas.2009.05.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2008] [Revised: 04/29/2009] [Accepted: 05/03/2009] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Overuse ankle injuries have been described in elite athletes and professional ballet dancers however the spectrum of injuries experienced by professional Irish dancers has not been defined.
METHODS
A troupe of actively performing dancers from an Irish-dance show were recruited (eight male, ten female; mean age, 26 years). The prevalence of overuse injuries in the right ankle was determined from magnetic resonance imaging. Foot and ankle self-report questionnaires were also completed (AOFAS and FAOS).
RESULTS
Only three ankles were considered radiologically normal. Achilles tendinopathy, usually insertional, was the most frequent observation (n=14) followed by plantar fasciitis (n=7), bone oedema (n=2) and calcaneocuboid joint degeneration (n=2). There were limited correlations between MRI patterns and clinical scores indicating that many conditions are sub-clinical. Dancers with ankle pain had poor low (p=0.004) and high (p=0.013) level function.
CONCLUSIONS
Overuse ankle injuries are common in Irish dancers. Incorporating eccentric exercises and plantar fascia stretching into a regular training program may benefit this population.
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