Spondylolysis in Ballet Dancers

Abstract

This study of the incidence of spondylolysis in dancers consisted of 65 subjects who were ballet dancers with the Finnish National Ballet. Radiographs of the spine from 60 (25 male, 35 female) dancers were available for analysis. A questionnaire concerning the history and presence of symptoms of low back was completed by 50 dancers. The mean age at the time of radiography was 24 (16–36) years, and at the time of evaluation of the symptoms 28 (21–43) years. Nineteen dancers out of 60 (32%) had spondylolysis, 15 with and 4 without spon dylolisthesis. This frequency is five times higher than found in the Finnish population. This strongly supports the mechanical etiology involved in the development of spondylolysis. Frequent loa ding (beginning in childhood) of the spine (axial, rotational, and especially in hyperextension) are typical for ballet (arabesque, lifting, and so forth). Conversely, back pain symptoms during a ballet career were not clearly associated with the presence of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis. It, therefore, seems to be unjustified to advise a ballet dancer with such a defect to discontinue his or her career.