Background: Ballet dancers have a high prevalence of injuries to the lower extremity. Many studies have investigated the relationship between dance injury and risk factors. However, risk factors for lower-extremity injury comparing recreational- and elite-level ballet dancers are scarce. Objective: To systematically review available original studies to assess risk factors for lower-extremity injury in female ballet dancers between recreational and elite ballet dancers. Data Sources: Five online databases [Web of Science, PubMed, OVID (Medline), EBSCO, and ProQuest] were searched systematically. Study Selection: Included studies had an analytic study design published in the past 11 years and investigated an association between potential risk factors and lower-extremity injury in female ballet dancers. Study Appraisal: Assessed independently by 2 reviewers using the Downs and Black (DB) criteria and Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine. Results: Seventeen studies were included. Alignment was a risk factor for lower-extremity injury in both recreational and elite ballet dancers. In elite ballet dancers, poor lumbopelvic movement control, inappropriate transversus abdominis contraction, decreased lower-extremity strength, and poor aerobic fitness were risk factors for lower-extremity injury. In recreational ballet dancers, hypermobility of the hip and ankle and longer training hours were risk factors for lower-extremity injury. Mean DB score was 15.94 (SD 1.57). The majority of studies were retrospective cohort studies or had poor follow-up, with 7 level 2b studies, 6 level 3b studies (cross-sectional), and 4 level 1b studies (prospective cohort with good follow-up). Conclusions: Alignment was identified as a common risk factor for recreational and elite ballet dancers. Other risk factors differed between recreational ballet dancers and elite ballet dancers. Future studies are warranted to use a prospective study design, identify dance level–specific risk factors, and implement evidence-based prevention strategies.

Past injuries may influence current hip pain and function in young female dancers. Correlation determination (r) indicated that 37% of current pain and function scores were explained by total past injuries in a small group of young high-level ballet dancers. Further research should engage a prospective design to investigate the predictive ability of findings.

A 14-year-old female ballet dancer sustained an injury during a routine ballet movement that was diagnosed as an ischial tuberosity avulsion fracture. This diagnosis was complicated by extensive soft tissue injury to the hamstrings, adductors, and external rotator musculature. Although uncommon, the potential for this injury should be uniformly considered in adolescent dancers due to the unique stresses in ballet training and the added risk of growth spurts during this stage of development. Prevention targeting individual deficiencies in flexibility and strength is essential to avoid similar devastating injuries. In most cases that are diagnosed early, avulsions heal with conservative treatment. Early imaging and correct diagnosis can serve to guide clinical management and prevent unnecessary surgery in the young dancer.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common anatomical variant in ballet dancers. Cam morphology (a subtype of FAI) and increased alpha angles have been identified as risk factors for hip pain. Ultrasound has recently been used to measure alpha angles in the diagnosis of cam morphology, but its utility remains understudied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound measured alpha angles on hip pain and function scores in elite female adolescent ballet dancers. The alpha angles of 25 dancers (mean age: 15.9 years) were measured using ultrasound and calculated with ImageJ Software. Cam morphology was defined by alpha angles of 60° or greater. Participants rated their hip pain and function using the International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT-12) survey. For normally distributed variables, the independent t-test was performed, and for abnormally distributed variables, the Mann-Whitney U Test. Along with mean and standard deviation (SD) values, median score, interquartile range (IQR), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were also analyzed. Significantly lower iHOT-12 scores were found in dancers with alpha angles ≥ 60° (mean ± SD, 74.34 ± 13.01; 95% CIs, 58.18, 90.50, median 67.20; IQR, 18.55), compared to dancers with alpha angles < 60° (mean ± SD, 80.22 ± 15.65; 95% CIs, 72.90, 87.54; median, 81.60; IQR, 16.35; p = 0.001). It is concluded that: 1. elite female adolescent ballet dancers with alpha angles higher than 60° experienced worse hip pain and function; 2. alpha angles may impact hip pain and function in these dancers; and 3. further studies should use a prospective design to investigate the predictive ability of their findings.