Tendonitis in Dancers Any Involvement

Tendonitis in Dancers Any involvement with strenuous physical activity carries with it the danger of injury. Some injuries are more subtle than others and can be the cause of overextending the muscles and tendons. These are dangerous, since continued use of the injured part could result in further and more serious injury. This is why it is important to recognize the early signs of injury and seek treatment right away. Patellar tendonitis is an example of such injuries. In dancers, this commonly occurs during performing a jump.

By understanding the injury, its causes, and its treatment, dancers can ensure that they will not be injured permanently or in the long-term. Patellar tendonitis is also known as jumper's knee. It is a stress injury in the patellar tendon in the knee (Brasilovic 78). A dancer suffering from this condition will experience the gradual onset of anterior knee pain. There is no specific onset time or preceding injury. The pain experienced is generally aching and dull. The pain will tend to be worse when landing after a jump.

It is also seen in hurdlers and basketball and volleyball players (Solomon, Solomon and Minton 65). The cause of patellar tendonitis is stress experienced by the patellar tendon when a dancer jumps and lands (Brasilovic 78). The stress is caused by the eccentric contraction of the quadriceps muscles. Landing causes a net downward force, while the quadriceps contract eccentrically in the opposite direction for the purpose of slowing down and controlling the landing process. The patellar tendon experiences the greatest stress at its insertion site when the knee is flexed.

The condition occurs most frequently in inexperienced dancers with poor landing technique, since this exacerbates the stress on the tendon. Another reason for the occurrence of the injury is poor conditioning of the tendon in question, which may not be strong enough, warm enough, or flexible enough to withstand the stress of jumping during dance practice (Solomon, Solomon and Minton, p. 65). When stress is applied too frequently to develop the strength required, tendonitis will occur. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury.

The first important step is to decrease those activities that aggravate the pain or causes stress for the patellar tendon. Typically, it should be advised that jumps should be either decreased or ceased altogether. Initial treatment interventions include ice and rest (Solomon, Solomon and Minton, p. 65). For the less severe, initial stages of the injury, ultrasound can be used along with ice. It is also essential to stretch the quadriceps. Strengthening of these muscles is accomplished with closed chain exercises to emphasize the eccentric phase on a decline board.

It is also important to keep stretching within the painless range of motion. This is usually within 90 to 30 degrees of flexion (Bracilovic, p. 79). Exercise can also be applied progressively, following a range of flexing with plyometric exercises and joint proprioceptive training. Patellar taping can reduce friction on the patella to relieve pain. Custom molded orthotics can also be used to maintain foot and joint position for the reduction of stress on the patellar tendon.

In the later, more severe stages of the injury, a longer rest period from dancing and jumping activity, up to six weeks, will be required.