Bursitis

[Plesacica]

Okay so I've been told that I may have to get cortisone injections into both of my knees due to my bursitis. So my first question is: does anyone else have the same problem?? All of the people I know with this issue are at least 30 so it scares me that I have it at 19. Secondly, plies just exacerbate my current pain so what should I do in class? Anything specific? I am cast in our performance of the Nutcracker and I can't just stop doing plies but they only make it worse... help!!!

[Victoria Leigh]

Yes, you can stop doing pliés, at least grand pliés. They are totally non-essential if you are having knee problems. You might be able to still do second position without pain, and if so, do that. If not, don't. As long as you can do decent demi-pliés, you can still dance. BUT, first you must go to an orthopedic doctor who understands dancers. If you need shots, get them. And listen to what the doctor says about dancing, in terms of what you can do and what you can't. As a teacher, I can tell you that it is totally possible to live as a dancer without grand pliés. If they are the only major problem, then don't do them. But first, the doctor. IF it is bursitis, that is not relative to age, to my knowledge. But you need to know what it is first, then what to do about it, and then how to deal with it in terms of what you can do and what you can't.

[moreilly]

Bursitis is not relative to age. I'm only 24 and I've had bursitis in my hips and knee. I agree, though, that it is important to find a doctor that understands dancers. I regularly see both a general sports medicine doctor and a physical therapist that used to dance, and I am quickly realizing that the physical therapist that used to dance is a lot more informative and helpful than the doctor schooled in general sports medicine. In fact, with my particular knee problem, the cortisone injection didn't do much but the strengthening and taping suggestions I received from the physical therapist has had a much more favorable impact.

 

Also, if you do have the cortisone shots in your knees, give yourself some time to recoup. It is high in the ranking of most painful shots I've received! Good luck, though, I hope you get it cleared up soon!

[Mazenderan]

Yes, you can stop doing pliés, at least grand pliés. They are totally non-essential if you are having knee problems.

 

Miss Leigh, would this apply for patellofemoral maltracking also?

 

I am quickly realizing that the physical therapist that used to dance is a lot more informative and helpful than the doctor schooled in general sports medicine.

 

Hugely second this. Finding a physio who understands what you do in class and can look at you with a specialised eye is great. I have hip bursitis too, and the physio I see has spotted the faults that led to the problem.

[Victoria Leigh]

Yes, with any kind of knee problem I would immediately eliminate grand pliés. I can do grand plié in second position, but not any other position. If second does not hurt, fine, but, if it does, don't do that either.