Caring for the Dancer: Special Considerations for the Performer and Troupe

In Publications
Publication

Curr Sports Med Rep. 2008 May-Jun;7(3):128-32. doi: 10.1097/01.CSMR.0000319716.56169.29.

Authors

Shah S1.

Abstract

The needs of a dancer patient can be daunting to the uninitiated physician. A dancer’s technique, environment, and mentality are unique among athletes. Compared with popular team sports, like football or basketball, physicians are often unfamiliar with dancers’ injuries and requirements to facilitate a safe, timely return to dance. The goal of this article is to help foster better communication between dancers and the medical community by describing dance epidemiology, dance basics including technique and characteristics, and some specific dance injuries.