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Dance Technique incorporating safe dance practice

Performing sequences relative to anatomical structure

Causes and prevention of injury

Common dance injuries

Achilles tendonitis

Tendons are made of tough, replete connective tissue, and join muscles to bones. They act so when a muscle contracts the tendon pulls the bone to cause movement. Tendons consist of closely packed parallel bundles of callogen fibres. Tendons aren’t very flexible but are strong; they are resistant to extension. The tendon is located within a sheath of fibrous material called the vagina fibroin, in, which the tendon moves. Within the sheath is a fine network of lymphatic vessels and synovial fluid, which assists the tendon by allowing it to guide smoothly. It also reduces friction.

The Achilles tendon does not actually have a true sheath surrounding it. It is actually covered by a fascia, which acts as a sheath around the tendon. Though it acts in much the same way as a true synovial sheath. Tendons vary in size with the largest in our body being the Achilles tendon. It is located at the posterior distal end of the leg, near the ankle. It joins the gastrocremius and Soleus muscles with the calcaneus bone.

The Achilles tendon is highly susceptible to over-stretching and strain. If this strain is improperly cared for it could result in a chronic injury with repeated strain in this area a dancer can easily develop tendonitis. This is when the tendon becomes chronically inflamed. The inflammation is due to friction between the tendon and the sheath.

There are many contributing factors, which cause dancers to be susceptible to Achilles tendonitis:

Most dancers do their work in plantar flexion; they therefore have tight heel cords because of this work.
A dancer may have an anatomical variation, in having tendons, which are smaller and thinner. If this is the case they are more susceptible to strain.
Supination and pronation of the foot are a contributing factor.
Low releve places much more stress than a high releve or full pointe.
If there is a prominence of the posterior superior portion of the calcaneus, the condition is more likely to occur.

The severity of Achilles tendonitis can vary. There can be a mild irritation, or fraying of fibres. This can extend to intratendonal or fusiform swellings. Results from chronic tendonitis can be nodule formation or adhesions between the tendon and paraceton, or sheath. Pain will result from any forcible pushing of the foot against the floor; this can include normal walking. It is also possible that the area of the tendon is tender to touch.

One of the main reasons Achilles tendonitis is so prevalent in dance could be that the avoidance of stretching the Achilles while dancing is virtually impossible. The condition of Achilles tendonitis will often arise suddenly with no warning and is often due to overworking the area.

Complete rest is probably the best treatment for this condition, though with most dancers this can be difficult. Most dancers will compromise with a brief inactive period. Through this is usually ineffective with symptoms returning almost immediately. There are many different methods used to manage this disorder. Anti-inflammatory medication can be used to ease pain and lessen the amount of fluid in the area. Ultrasounds are now being used to treat this condition. High-frequency waves are used on the injured internal tissue. It stimulates the damaged tissue and reduces oedema. Contrast baths can be used. Also the use of moist heat before dancing and followed by an ice pack or cold water after dancing has ceased.

The use of heel lifts in shoes, or the wearing of character shoes, even jazz shoes will benefit the sufferer. This will lessen the tension on the tendon. For more severe cases an air-walking brace, with added heel lift may be used. This immobilises the joint and prevents stretching of the Achilles while walking. There is also a method of strapping, which can be used; it is designed to prevent over-stretching of the Achilles tendon.

The use of steroids or local anesthetics in this condition is completely unwarranted. This may provide systematic relief but cause no alteration to the inflammation of the tendon. The use of steroids also runs the risk of weakening the tendon or a spontaneous rupture of the tendon.

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