Management of Injuries in the Young Dancer

Individuals involved in the care of the young dancer must understand the etio-logic effects of growth, flexibility, and anatomical alignment on injuries. This article presents an approach to injuries in young dancers and discusses some specific injuries, particularly involving the lower extremities and the spine. Aspects of injury assessment and prevention include attention to each dancer's specific anatomy, proper technique, careful progression of skills, and monitoring the volume and intensity of dance training. Management of the dancer begins with identifying the specific anatomic diagnosis. It is important to be familiar with the demands of dance and the patterns of pain commonly associated with specific injuries. This knowledge helps differentiate between injuries that may be treated non-operatively from those that require further investigations and interventions.