Dealing with Severe MTP Joint Discomfort During Pointe Dancing
Personal Profile: 21-year-old female, 5'4", 125 lbs, Caucasian, occasional drinker, and marijuana user. It seems like the expertise of a podiatrist is urgently needed! I've taken up dancing in pointe shoes for about six months now, after starting with ballet flats at the age of six. Lately, I've been experiencing significant discomfort in the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of my right foot when I wear my pointe shoes, and I’ve started to notice similar sensations in my left foot as well. Typically, this pain fades after about ten minutes of taking off my shoes and massaging my feet. While I initially feel fine for the first 10 to 15 minutes of practice, I find that my right foot becomes unbearable to stand on or even to keep the shoe on after about half an hour of dancing. At one point, I had a month where the pain was constant, even when I was in regular shoes or barefoot, accompanied by unusual electric like sensations running from my arch to my toes. Fortunately, physical therapy helped reduce the pain to only when I'm in my pointe shoes. I've been properly fitted multiple times and am currently on my fourth pair of well-fitted shoes, so I suspect the issue isn't related to the footwear itself. I've consulted with a physical therapist specializing in dance-related injuries, but due to financial constraints, I could only attend a few sessions. While she provided strengthening exercises, she couldn't offer much insight into the root cause or advice on how to prevent the pain from worsening. I have quite high arches and narrow feet, if that detail is helpful. Additionally, I generally maintain low iron levels and experience low blood pressure (the former I manage with supplements), yet apart from that, I would say my overall health is good. I'm eager to find a resolution to this issue, as it's significantly affecting my ability to enjoy the activity I cherish most!
Answers (1)
8/3/2025, 2:50:50 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing significant discomfort in the MTP joint of your right foot during pointe dancing, which can be frustrating given your passion for this activity. This issue may be due to a combination of factors, including your foot structure, the demands of pointe work, and possibly overuse. Let’s address this with practical steps you can take.
Understanding the Problem
Your high arches and narrow feet might contribute to additional stress in the MTP joints when dancing on pointe. This can lead to discomfort or even pain, particularly if the muscles and tendons around the foot are not strong enough to support the position required by pointe shoes. The electric-like sensations and the persistent nature of your pain suggest there could be nerve involvement or irritation related to foot mechanics.
Prioritized Next Steps
-
Rest and Modify Activity:
- Give your feet some time to recover by incorporating rest days into your practice. Consider reducing the duration you wear pointe shoes during each session and gradually increasing as your feet adapt.
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Warm-Up and Cool Down:
- Before you start dancing, engage in a thorough warm-up specific to the foot and ankle, which can include ankle circles, toe stretches, and gentle foot flexes. After dancing, always cool down and gently stretch the feet to alleviate tension.
-
Foot Strengthening and Conditioning:
- While you mentioned some exercises from your physical therapist, focusing on specific strengthening exercises can be beneficial. Some effective exercises include:
- Toe Taps: While seated, lift and lower your toes, keeping your heels on the ground.
- Resistance Band Exercises: Place a resistance band around your forefoot while seated and point and flex your foot against the resistance to strengthen the muscles.
- Arch Raises: Stand on a flat surface and slowly raise your arches by lifting your heels while keeping the balls of your feet and toes on the ground.
- While you mentioned some exercises from your physical therapist, focusing on specific strengthening exercises can be beneficial. Some effective exercises include:
-
Foot Care During Pointe Work:
- Use pads designed for pointe shoes that offer extra cushioning or support for the MTP joint. This can help relieve some of the pressure during rehearsals.
- Consider using therapeutic tape to support the arches and MTP joints if comfortable and effective for you.
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Ice Therapy:
- After dancing, apply ice to your feet for 15-20 minutes to reduce any inflammation and soothe discomfort.
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Monitor Symptoms and Adjust:
- Keep a journal of your pain levels and activities to identify patterns or specific triggers. This information can be useful if you seek further professional advice in the future.
Conclusion
It’s great that you have already sought help from a physical therapist, and while finances may limit additional sessions, many of these recommendations can be implemented at home. Listening to your body and adjusting your training will be key to preventing further issues. If your symptoms escalate or do not improve with these strategies, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional specializing in dance injuries when possible. This proactive approach not only addresses your current discomfort but can help you enjoy dancing more fully.
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