STUDY DESIGN: Case report. BACKGROUND: Tendon lacerations of the hallux are potentially devastating to a dancer. Strength of the hallux musculature is necessary to attain and maintain balance, push-off in multiple turns, and decelerate in jumps and hops. The purpose of this paper is to report on the repair and rehabilitation of extensor hallucis longus and extensor hallucis brevis tendon lacerations in a professional dancer. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 30-year-old dancer sustained complete laceration of her extensor hallucis longus and extensor hallucis brevis tendons, and partial laceration of the dorsal aspect of the hallux metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint capsule. Following primary repair, at 9 weeks postsurgery, hallux MTP joint active dorsiflexion was limited to 5° and passive dorsiflexion to 70°. First toe dorsiflexion and plantar flexion strength was 4/5 at the MTP and 3+/5 at the interphalangeal joint. Rehabilitation included functional electrical stimulation to address considerable calf atrophy, strengthening exercises, functional retraining, and progressive return to dance. OUTCOME: The dancer returned to her previous level of dancing in 18 weeks, with 73° and 85° of hallux MTP joint active and passive dorsiflexion, and 30° and 35° of active and passive plantar flexion, respectively. Hallux MTP and interphalangeal joint muscle strength were 5/5 and 4+/5, respectively. Improvement, manifested in her SF-36 and Dance Functional Outcome System scores, accompanied her full functional recovery. DISCUSSION: Hallux stability provided by coactivation of the great toe extensors and flexors is crucial to accomplish the demands of bipedal and unipedal balances and activities in dance. This report demonstrates the success of primary surgical repair and rehabilitation in a dancer/athlete experiencing this injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 4.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008;38(6):362-370, published online 22 January 2008. doi:10.2519/jospt.2008.2749

KEY WORDS: dance injury, foot, hallux, metatarsophalangeal joint

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. BACKGROUND: Misdiagnosed or undertreated sesamoid bone pathology in dancers may result in prolonged pain, disability, and career limitation. A thorough understanding of sesamoid disorders and appropriate treatment facilitates timely recovery. The potential loss of hallux plantar flexion strength consequent to sesamoidectomy is a major consideration for dancers. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 18-year-old dance student sustained a delayed-union fracture of her lateral (fibular) sesamoid. Treatment included an inductive coupling external bone stimulator with pulsed electromagnetic field, activity and weight-bearing restrictions, protective padding, strengthening, functional retraining, and progressive return to dance. OUTCOME: Following use of an external bone stimulator for 12 months, the dancer successfully returned to her previous level of dancing. Repeated SF-36 and Dance Functional Outcome System scores confirmed this improvement. DISCUSSION: Loss of hallux plantar flexion strength with sesamoid resection can be devastating to a dancer who requires push-off strength for multiple turns and jumps. Treatment with bone stimulation was therefore selected over more invasive measures. The dancer was compliant with systematic functional progression. Improvement, as seen on radiographs and outcome scores, accompanied her full functional recovery.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2007;37(9):529-540, published online 20 June 2007. doi:10.2519/jospt.2007.2472

KEY WORDS: bone stimulator, dance injury, foot, hallux