Stress Injuries and Developmental Change of Lower Extremities in Ballet Dancers

Abstract

Radiographs of the hip and lower extremities of 52 professional ballet dancers were evaluated. Among the various abnormalities, some similar to those found in athletes, were specific patterns of stress hypertrophy of the femora, tibiae, fibulae, and the first three metatarsal bones, and multiple stress fractures of the femoral necks and tibiae. This group of findings is sufficient to identify the classical ballet dancer.