Are there risks when dancing with pointe shoes?

Question

My ballet teacher told me I can get pointe shoes!! Yay! Despite how excited I am, I was wondering if there are any major health risks involved in dancing en pointe. I know that injury is something that cannot always be avoided, but I don't want to be crippled when I get old either. I was also wondering what I could do to make it not so risky.

Answer 1

People here talk a lot about how you should be careful with pointe. I suggest you research the old Q and A
http://answers.yahoo.com/search/search_result;_ylt=Ap1qo11ad9L3wyjpaAyBM37zy6IX?p=pointe

Answer 2

Dancing en pointe can place severe stress on the dancer's feet, common injuries related to dancing en pointe are:

blisters - caused by repeated rubbing of skin against the rough hardened inside of the shoe's box. Blisters can be prevented or lessened by carefully wrapping the dancer's toes with medical tape, or using some type of thin padding.
bunions - a bone deformity usually in the dancer's big toe, caused by cramping of the toes within the shoe's box. Dancers can prevent bunions by putting a spacer between the big toe and the next toe and wearing properly fitted shoes.
bruised toenails - caused by heavy pressure on the front of the nail. This can be very painful.
Cuts can also occur between toes as a result of the pressure of a dancer's toenails digging into the toes next to them
but dont let this scare you ponite is amazing and ive been doing it for 6 years! i love itt!
goo for it!
xoxox
j.*

Answer 3

yay !!! pointe shoes !!! be carefull of injury (of course) and i'm sure you're old enough and strong enough if your teach has said you can. keep in mind that pointe is somewhat deforming. depending on how serious of a dancer you are, in time you will develop callouses and like... bone callouses on your toes. your once cute toes may get kinda ugly if you train for years and seek to become a proficient pointe dancer. it is also painful to dance en pointe - - for some more than others, keep in mind. this also depends on the natural shape of your foot and toes. wear your shoes even when not dancing to help get used to them - you will have less pain during class. !! please make sure you get fitted properly for your shoes by a trained professional...have fun..there are also accessories by Bunheads that aid in releiving pain due to pointe....i wouldn't advise using them if you're just starting out on pointe. it's important to feel the floor through your new shoes and this is inhibited by such things as gel pads...some lambs wool is ok though for beginners. if you DO go for pads make sure you get fitted for shoes with them on as they change the shape/size of your foot...

Answer 4

What lisa S????? No major injuries from pointe shoes?????? I would laugh if this information weren't so dangerous.

I know a podiatrist who frequently sees dancers with all kinds of injuries from pointe shoes. Everything from torn and pulled tendons/ligaments to broken toes, ankles, and foot bones, to ingrown toenails to missing toenails to severe dislocations to massive bunions to all kinds of major problems. It is NOT NATURAL to be dancing on the tips of your toes and severe injuries can occur!

That being said, not everyone experiences those injuries and you can certainly help to avoid them by being smart.

1. Make sure you have pointe shoes that are properly fitted for your foot. Gaynor Minden is one of the most protective brands out there but some teachers do not like them for some reason. Many professional leading dancers wear them and they truly protect your feet the best.

2. Have the proper padding. There is no shame in using toe spacers, gel pads, heel grippers, and other 'appliances' to cushion your foot. Talk to your dance teacher and pointe shoe fitter about it. And never be ashamed to say if something doesn't feel right. Padding is a very personal thing and just because someone on here tells you to wear gel pads, don't run out and buy them. You may not need them. And, it takes time to figure out what your feet need.

3. ALWAYS warm up properly. If this means arriving 15 minutes early to class and stretching, doing some Échappés (not on pointe), and doing plenty or grande plies, then do it. The 'runner stretch' is a particularly good one. Face a wall and place both hands on it. Bend one knee and extend the other leg behind you, foot flat on the floor. Keeping the extended leg straight, hold for 20 seconds. Then, slightly bend the knee until you can feel the stretch change and hold for another 20 seconds. Switch sides and repeat as necessary. This will help to warm up and stretch your calves, your achilles tendon, and the tendon responsible for pointing your toes.

4. Don't use your pointe shoes without supervision from the teacher. This means no playing around in them at home.

5. Take care of your shoes and when they start to break down, immediately replace them. If you are still growing, you will need to be fitted again. Be honest with the fitter about any problems that you've had with them and ask them how you can fix it. For example, if you are having problems getting up over your box, you may need a softer shank. If you are slipping down in the shoe, you may need a narrower box.

6. If you start to have ANY internal pain, take some ibuprofin (as recommended on the label), stretch the area (if it's a muscle ache), and take it easy. If the pain is severe or persists, visit a well trained podiatrist or orthopedic doctor. A pediatrician may not know what's best for you and dancers need specialist. You want one who has experience treating ballet dancers and is sensitive to their needs.

7. If it hurts, stop! Tell the teacher what is wrong and ask for help to fix it!

8. Don't push anything. Don't overly turn-out. Don't try to push your pointe. Don't do anything that causes bad pain. Stretching pain and working pain is fine, but 'hurt' pain is not fine. Pay attention to your body.

Many long term professional dancers do have foot problems later in life. But, there are developments now in education, technique, shoes, and even padding that can help prevent this. A simple toe spacer can help to prevent bunions. Gel pads can help prevent hammer toes. Warming up can help prevent muscle, tendon, and ligament tears and strains. The best bet is to protect yourself now and you may be able to prevent problems later. Good luck to you and congratulations on your pointe shoes!!! : D

Answer 5

There is always risk involved with dancing, however, if you are properly trained, have a very skilled teach, and follow directions, the most you'll end up with are blisters. I've been on pointe as a child and as an adult and I am fine. Good luck. :-)

Answer 6

Yes. I wont get into details, but your feet can get tore up.

Also point shoes are very expenisive, because they only last like 8-12 hours. You will have to buy them all the time.

Answer 7

Aside from typical dance injuries, especially from dacing on pointe.

1. Your toe nails often die...or get infections if you dont take care of cuts and open wounds from your dancing.

2. Your toes get bigger...knuckle-wise...and fat round it gets bigger to protect your bones.

You have to be really adamant about stretches and caring for your feet.

As for long term...i didnt dance long enough to know what it could be later on. But I used to tape my toes and my ankles for more support. I would assume arthritis later on in life. But if you really are proactive with your care, you will be fine. Good luck and enjoy the dancing while you can.

Answer 8

my niece dances with pointe shoes and we were told to buy sum gel pas to put down in the front to help prevent injury...and corns..and all that stuff..the gel padding was available where we bought the shoes

Answer 9

no but u will get blisters after blisters
also ur feet wil be rlly stiff

but other than that there r no MAJOR risks for pointed dancing shoes

no silly u will not be crippled when u get older.

Answer 10

Where Earth Shoes, they are much more comfortable.