Athletes or Artists?
in ballet), the inversion injury of the ankle with
subsequent strain of the lateral ankle ligaments is
the most frequently treated sports injury. Medial
ankle sprains are much less common. If diagnosed
as such, a medial ankle sprain is a sprain of the
deltoid ligament. Most sprained ankle injuries are
treated, depending on their severity, with one or
more of the following – rest, crutches, strapping or
a cast. A surgical boot with midfoot or toe rocker,
along with crutches may be advised. Except for ballet
slippers, most other categories of dance shoe will
accommodate strapping or bracing, once the dancer
is fit for activity. The key point in the shoe is stability.
In sport shoes, a high-top over the ankle shoe, such as
a basketball shoe, may be used, likewise in American
football. Adidas experimented with a specially
designed stability shoe to aid rehabilitation some
years ago, but this was available only for elite athletes.
Dance shoes are more specific and other than a high-
top training shoe, only strapping or an elasticized
brace will help to stabilize the foot and ankle inside
the shoe. On certain shoes, an outside flange may be
added on the lateral side for stability during rehab.
Stress Fracture:
Stress fractures below the knee are common in
dancers involved in high impact pounding and
landing from jumps on hard wooden flooring. A
stress fracture is another type of overuse injury. It is
classified as a spontaneous fracture of normal bone
as a result of stress applied to the bone. Typically
stress fractures in dancers occur in the neck or base
of the second metatarsal, the lesser metatarsals and
lower fibula. Stress fractures in the feet occasionally
are diagnosed in the tarsal bones, calcaneum and
navicular. Shoes with extreme cushioning and shock
absorption can relieve the pain and pressure during
everyday activities. If the dancer insists on performing,
padded insoles will help to reduce impact. Impact
reduction and the risk of further injury can be
achieved by dancing on a “sprung floor” as opposed to
an unyielding surface.
—PFA
PHOTO CREDITS: 12) Metatarsalgia - @Shutterstock.com/p_saranya
1) Achilles Tendinitis - @Shutterstock.com/catinsyrup 13) Nails - @iStock.com/Cunaplus_M.Faba
2) Anterior Ankle Osteophytes - http://footandankleinstitute.
be/disorders/ankle/anterior-impingement-syndrome/ 14) Patella Femoral Syndrome - http://
angelasimpsonphysio.ca/patella-femoral-pain-syndrome/
3) Blisters - @Shutterstock.com/Cristian Dobre 15) Plantar Fasciitis - @Shutterstock.com/TANAPAT LEK.
JIW
4) Bunions - @Shutterstock.com/vasara
5) Calcaneal Bursitis - @Shutterstock.com/BlurryMe
6) Calluses and Corns - @Shutterstock.com/kunanon
7) Flexor Hallucis Longus - @Shutterstock.com/In The
Light Photography
8) Haglund’s Deformity - @Shutterstock.com/Levent Konuk
9) Hallux Rigidus - http://rydepodiatry.com.au/wp-content/
uploads/2015/11/Halluxrigidusxray.jpg
10) Interdigital Neuroma - https://mortonsneuroma.surgery/
mortons-neuroma/mortons-neuroma/about-mortons-
neuroma/
11) Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome - @Shutterstock.com/
comzeal images
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A good counter in any shoe helps to align the foot
correctly and control lateral and medial movement
inside the shoe.
Pedorthic Footcare Association | www.pedorthics.org
16) Posterior Impingement Syndrome of the Ankle - http://
footandankleinstitute.be/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/
Fig-33.jpg
17) Sesamoiditis - https://images.radiopaedia.org/
images/5506848/b04416fbb0acf5e6360e4f92f4b27a_
jumbo.jpeg
18) Shin Splints - @Shutterstock.com/namtipStudio
19) Sprained Ankle - @Shutterstock.com/Luis Santos
20) Stress Fracture - https://www.michiganpodiatry.com/
wp-content/uploads/2015/06/stress-fractures.jpg