– with Sports and Dance Podiatrist, Sarah Bowling
As a Podiatrist we treat a broad variety of foot and lower limb conditions. One area of particular interest for me is the management of dancers and dance-related injuries. I have long been a lover of dance having grown up dancing and now run my own dance school in addition to my role as a Podiatrist at Eastern Foot Care Knox.

One question I am often asked by dancers and parents is the appropriate age for a dancer to go en Pointe. We cannot put a numeric value on this question; there are many factors that must be taken into account before the student can safely begin Pointe work without sustaining injuries or doing lifelong damage to their feet.

We often hear teachers throw around the, ‘when you’re 12 years old’ as a generalisation. However, this is just not correct. All children develop at different rates therefore, things that must be considered include:

• Years of Experience- How long they have been dancing? How many times a week do they attend class? How many hours per week do they intend to dance per week?
• The Student’s Goals- Is this a hobby or something they would like to take further or make a career?
• Previous Injury/Medical Conditions- such as stress fractures, broken bones, tendinopathies, Sever’s Disorder, Osgood Schlatter’s, Intoeing, over pronation to name a few
• Strength- looking at single leg raises, ankle and knee strength. Do we need to prescribe exercises/ stretches to perform at home?
• Flexibility- through hips, ankles, hamstrings, calves
• Development- are the growth centres of the bones fused? Are the bones finished growing?
• Ingrown Toenails- these will amplify if already present
• Genetics- family history of bunions or digital deformities

As a dance teacher I have literally had students throw themselves on the floor crying because I have suggested they wait another 12 months until they are stronger and more developed before getting their Pointe shoes. It is heartbreaking to see the students upset but the long term damage is not worth it. I would hate to see a snapshot 30 years into their future of bunions, digital deformities, corns, callus, thick discoloured toenails, only being able to wear ‘grandma shoes’ and pain!!!

I feel so lucky to have the Podiatric background when teaching my students to give them the correct knowledge, safe techniques and knowing I am protecting their feet for the future.

At Eastern Foot Care with all dance assessments our expert Podiatrists are able to send the dancer for appropriate medical imaging as required, including X-rays, ultrasound and MRI so as to ensure the bones are fully developed. Further to this the Podiatrist will look at range of motion, strength and flexibility and provide tailored, educated advice for each dancer and parent. We also consider that close liaison with the dance teacher to be an integral part of any dance assessment and management plan, and ensures a team approach. At the end of a dance assessment consultation dancers walk away with a customised treatment plan and goals in order to be a safe and strong dancer for many years to come.