Page 13 - Leisure Living Magazine: May 2020 Edition

Healthy Feet Make
The Best Dancing Feet
By Molly S. Judge DPM, FACFAS, www.mollyjudge.com
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 wit-
nessed on the popular real- ity-television show, Dancing with the Stars.
According
to a foot and
ankle surgeon
serving Ohio,
Molly S. Judge
DPM, the most
common types
of dance-re-
lated foot and
ankle problems
are overuse in-
juries, 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 pa- tient’s age, strength and flexibility and the type of shoes worn when dancing,” said Dr. Judge.
Other common types of injuries related to danc- ing 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 pro- tect their feet and ankles? “The best defense to inju- ry 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,”
Lois Echelberger and David Rosenberg Photo by Loretta Majoy
Dr. Judge said. When an in- jury does occur, prompt medical attention by a foot and ankle sur- geon can make all the difference in a proper rehabilitation. “Most dance injuries can be treated with conser- vative care as long as they are addressed early and not ignored,” Dr. Judge adds. “Many people dispel foot pain if they can walk on the foot, but it is im- portant 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.”
Dr. Molly Judge is a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon working with patients from all across the coun- try. She has a private practice location at 503 Washing- ton St. in Port Clinton, Ohio. Her practice has a special interest in hard to manage cases such as those that have failed treatment from various other physicians.
Call 419.732.2618 for an appointment today.
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