Reston/Herndon - (703) 437-6333
Manassas/Gainesville - (703) 368-7166

Healthy Feet Make The Best Dancing Feet

Healthy Feet Make the Best Dancing Feet

Don’t ignore foot pain on the dance floor

 

 

(Reston, Manassas, Leesburg, VA 7/31/15) -- Being ‘light on your feet’ when dancing is not entirely true; dancing the night away can take a toll on feet and ankles. Both professional and amateur dancers can suffer foot injuries that can stop the show, as witnessed this season on the popular reality-television show, Dancing with the Stars. 

According to Northern Virginia foot and ankle surgeon Steven Gordon, DPM, FACFAS,  the most common types of dance-related foot and ankle problems are overuse injuries, which occur due to the repetitive movements in dance. “Over 50 percent of dance injuries occur in the foot and ankle. The severity of the damage is determined by a patient’s age, strength and flexibility and the type of shoes worn when dancing,” said Dr. Gordon.

Other common types of injuries related to dancing can include:

  • stress fractures (hairline breaks in the bone) from repeated jumping and landing
  • foot neuromas (thickening/irritation of the nerves in the ball of the foot) resulting from repetitive pivoting
  • shin splints (pain and swelling in the front of the lower legs) which can be aggravated by recurring activities
  • tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons in the foot) from over exertion
  • corns, calluses or blisters—all painful skin irritations resulting from repeated rubbing of the skin on the feet.

With dancing being repetitively hard on the lower extremities, how can dancers of any level protect their feet and ankles? “The best defense to injury is prevention. Dancers should wear appropriate shoes to properly support their feet and ankles as well as perform dance moves with their individual skill levels in mind,” Dr. Gordon said. When an injury does occur, prompt medical attention by a foot and ankle surgeon can make all the difference in a proper rehabilitation. “Most dance injuries can be treated with conservative care as long as they are addressed early and not ignored,” Dr. Gordon adds.  “Many people dispel foot pain if they can walk on the foot, but it is important to remember it is possible to walk on a seriously injured foot. Plus, common injuries, if left untreated, may require surgical intervention to ensure proper healing.”

If you are suffering from foot or ankle pain, call Dr. Gordon’s office in Reston at 703-437-6333, Manassas Office at 703-368-7166, and Leesburg Office at 703-777-2101 for an assessment.   

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Locations

Reston Foot and Ankle Center
1760 Reston Pkwy, Suite 310
Reston, VA 20190
Phone (703) 437-6333
Fax: (703) 437-7837

Manassas Foot and Ankle Center
8577A Sudley Rd.
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone (703) 368-7166
Fax: (703) 368-5103

Office Hours

Reston Foot and Ankle Center
Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 3:00pm

Manassas Foot and Ankle Center
Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 3:00pm