Can Dancers Develop Hip Pain?
There are many different forms of dance, including ballet, hip hop, swing, and belly dancing. Whatever form of dance, these are art forms that require high flexibility, skill, and strength from a dancer.
Dancers are artists, but they’re also athletes who must train hard to achieve the movements that they make look so easy. Just like other athletes such as football and tennis players, dancers can suffer injuries from dancing, including hip pain.
Dr. Joshua Harris is a highly skilled and respected orthopedic specialist with a medical office in Houston, Texas. In addition to many years of experience caring for patients, Dr. Harris also has advanced training in several orthopedic specialties and an extensive medical research background. Supported by his friendly and skilled staff, he offers diagnostic services and treatment for various hip issues.
Your hip joint
Your hip joint is where your thigh bone, called your femur, meets your pelvis. This is a ball and socket type joint, which means your femur has a rounded end that fits in a curved pocket in your pelvis. This joint allows for an incredible range of motion, which permits dancers and other athletes to move their legs in many different directions.
The hip joint is one of the largest in your body and bears a lot of weight. Ligaments connect the bones at the joint, and tendons connect the bone’s powerful muscles to stabilize it. Several issues can develop with this joint that can lead to pain, reduced range of motion, and immobility.
Can dancers develop hip pain?
Dancers typically put a lot of stress on their hips as they twist, turn, leap, and land, often at unusual angles. Motions must be repeated over and over again to perfect them, which can result in overuse injuries. Hip pain as a result of hip injuries is a common issue for dancers.
Types of hip pain
Depending on the type of dance they participate in and the specific movements they often make, a dancer may experience hip pain caused by many different conditions, including:
- Snapping hip syndrome
- Hip flexor issues
- Muscle or ligament tears
- Fractures
- Overuse injuries
- Bursitis
The only way to discover the underlying cause of any hip pain you may have is to make an appointment with a qualified orthopedic surgeon for a complete physical examination and targeted diagnostic tests.
Treatment for hip pain
After completing a physical examination of your and reviewing the results of any diagnostic tests, Dr. Harris provides you with a diagnosis for your hip pain. He develops a treatment plan for addressing your symptoms and your underlying condition. This plan is likely to include elements such as rest, pain relievers, physical therapy, and, if necessary, surgical procedures to correct any serious issues.
If you are experiencing hip pain or another orthopedic issue, call our office to make an appointment or use our online booking system to find a date and time that works best.