Within a profession as perilous as dance, physical injuries are almost a somber rite of passage. Prior to my encounter with a tier 1 severe injury, I had contended with numerous minor afflictions that hindered my progress as both a dancer and a former athlete. Whether it was a nagging muscle strain, a stubbornly sprained ankle, the persistence of patellar tendonitis, or the ache of a spinal bruise — each seemed fair game for a professional dancer. The question persists: Can we emerge from such setbacks in the most optimal manner? It's a well-known truth in both dance and sports circles that dance is not and likely will never be afforded the same level of financial care as sports. Consequently, dancers must exercise exceptional caution to avoid injury, or astutely navigate the complex terrain of financial compensation in the unfortunate event of an accident. Personally, luck was on my side, and the trials of the past year have not only vocalized my concern about this issue but also positioned me to aid others in similar predicaments when needed.
Introducing Dr. Donald Rose, a distinguished sports medicine physician and orthopedic surgeon. Notably, he stands as the founding director of the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. Let's see what he has to say:
1. Most orthopedic surgeons, as well as other healthcare practitioners, are not aware of, let alone diagnose and appropriately treat, many musculoskeletal issues in dancers.
You're probably familiar with the age-old "chicken and egg" conundrum — trying to determine which came first. However, when it comes to dance medicine, a similar enigma arises as we grapple with the challenge of locating doctors who possess a comprehensive understanding of and proficiency in treating dance-specific injuries. Despite a gradual increase over the years, the presence of specialized professionals for professional dancers remains palpably scarce. This scarcity, in turn, contributes to the lack of demand for dance medicine specialists. So, the question looms: How can we nurture and extend the careers of dancers without the essential infrastructure and expertise? This paradox is not only thought-provoking but also unfurls a complex set of considerations that warrant exploration.
I, too, faced the struggle of identifying and entrusting my care to a medical professional well-versed in treating dancers. Ultimately, I found my solution through a combination of two to three doctors, all of whom boasted extensive experience in orthopedic surgeries for athletes. In an ideal scenario, Dr. Rose would have been the perfect expert to whom I could entrust my knee. His specialized skills span a wide range, encompassing conditions and treatments such as Achilles tendon rupture, anterior cruciate ligament tear, clavicle fracture, ligament reconstruction, arthroscopic surgery, and platelet-rich plasma therapy. The sobering reality, however, reveals an unsettling truth: The majority of orthopedic surgeons and healthcare practitioners are often unfamiliar with, let alone capable of diagnosing and effectively treating, many of the intricate musculoskeletal issues specific to dancers. Adding to this complexity, the dearth of Harkness centers around the globe underscores the recurring "chicken and egg" dilemma.
2. Dance injuries/musculoskeletal issues are often very different from other athletic populations.
The question of whether dancers are athletes is one I frequently encounter and contemplate. Transitioning from an athlete to a dancer myself stemmed from two primary motivations. Firstly, I had hit a plateau in my basketball journey and sought a fresh start in a different hobby. Secondly, the competitive nature intrinsic to sports didn't align with my preferences. I often found myself disadvantaged by my physical limitations in the cutthroat world of athletics. In contrast, dance offered a distinct paradigm — a competition between oneself and their ideal stage presence, far removed from the prospect of being bulldozed by an opponent on a damp Monday morning. It's worth noting that both dancers and professional athletes partake in intensive physical training and necessitate specialized care to uphold their health and performance. Nevertheless, the idiosyncratic demands of dance, underscored by the paramount importance of artistry and aesthetics, engender divergent injury patterns and health practices compared to conventional athletes.
Let's delve into some key distinctions. As alluded to earlier, dancers grapple with unique psychological pressures intertwined with performance, stage anxiety, and a relentless pursuit of flawlessness. The emotional and mental dimensions of dance interlace with their susceptibility to injuries and overall well-being in manners distinct from athletes. The balance between Artistry and Aesthetics further underscore the dichotomy. Dancers are tasked not only with maintaining physical prowess and technical finesse but also with nurturing artistic expression and form. This gives rise to challenges concerning body image, weight management, and the perpetual quest to embody a particular look or appearance. Finally, dancers might encounter varying degrees of access to sports medicine professionals and supportive frameworks, diverging from their athletic counterparts. The availability of specialized care profoundly impacts injury prevention, treatment regimens, and holistic health management. Altogether, the landscape of dance injuries and health considerations remains markedly distinct from other athletic populations, a characteristic that continues to hold true to this day. On the scientific spectrum, I’ll leave it to Donald of course.
3. The ‘prima donna’ syndrome is very rare in dancers, with most dance patients very appreciative of the care they received.
As highlighted in our previous episode with Emma Redding, Dance Science extends its reach to encompass an array of facets, including nutrition and psychology. A glimpse into the Dance Medicine team at the Harkness Center mirrors a similar panorama. Dance Medicine presents a rich tapestry of career avenues for those who harbor an interest. Amidst the roster of orthopedic surgeons, such as Dr. Rose himself, there resides a mosaic of professionals — physical therapists, physicians, athletic trainers, clinical specialists, acupuncturists, and administrative directors. Each piece fits seamlessly into the puzzle, furnishing potential patients with a plethora of choices when seeking assistance. Within the machinery that propels the Harkness Center, there is no leeway for misfits or prima donnas.
The perception of dancers as prima donnas is a longstanding stereotype that has been perpetuated over time, often painting a distorted image of the dance community. While it's true that every profession can have individuals who exhibit certain behaviors or attitudes, it's important to recognize that this stereotype does not accurately represent the majority of dancers. While some dancers might display such traits, many others are hardworking and humble individuals who are just passionate about their craft.
Despite the risk for prima donna characteristics, dance patients maintain a rather admirable rapport in the eyes of dance medicine practitioners. Perhaps attributed to factors such as a humbling decline in capability or self-confidence, or the nurturing care provided by doctors that begets reciprocation, the much-feared 'prima donna' syndrome remains a rarity among dancers. Most dance patients exude profound gratitude for the care they receive, an emblem of the profound rapport that exists between the dance community and the medical practitioners dedicated to their well-being.
Check out the full episode here
| 20.05.2024 |
