Rehabilitation of a Professional Ballerina Post-Traumatic Fourth Toe Fracture: A Case Report.
Madeline G Morgan, Annemieke D Corbitt, Charlotte C Yates
PMID 40620409WHAT IT FOUND
A professional ballerina with a toe fracture returned to full pointe work after 18 physical therapy visits.
The plan combined manual therapy, progressive loading, and modified pointe shoe use. This describes one person's recovery, not a proven protocol for others.
Key findings
01The dancer achieved a full return to professional pointe work after eight weeks of physical therapy.
02Rehabilitation included manual joint mobilization, progressive resistance training, and the use of de-nailed pointe shoes to reduce pain during early return to dance.
03Outcomes were measured primarily by self-report and clinical examination, with no objective performance-based return-to-sport testing used prior to discharge.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
This is a single case report; outcomes cannot be generalized to other patients. The subject received concurrent personal gym training and modified dance classes, so the specific contribution of the 18 physical therapy visits cannot be isolated. No objective performance-based return-to-sport testing (e.g., Star Excursion Balance Test) was performed prior to discharge; outcomes relied on self-report and clinical examination. The treatment plan was highly individualized based on the therapist's clinical judgment and the subject's specific ballet skills, lacking a standardized protocol for this injury type.
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the University of Central Arkansas.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this as evidence that de-nailing pointe shoes or this specific 8-week timeline is effective for all toe fractures. The subject was a highly motivated professional with pre-existing strength and training habits, and the case report cannot establish causality or generalizability.