Surgery...sometimes it may be unavoidable but its not the end of the world! Recovery for Dancers
You may have suffered an acute injury like the horror of snapping your achilles which will need immediate medical attention or you may be suffering pain and long term inflammation from a chronic strain injury like Rotator Cuff (Shoulder) dysfunction , either way these common dance injuries ofter require surgical intervention.
So how can you make sure you get the best outcome possible?
Information is power and we all turn to Dr Google, even for little niggles but once you've done your own research including researching the surgeon, you also need to respect their skills and knowledge.
You need to make sure you bring your informed questions to the surgeon and the other medical assistants .
Questions like ......
What are the usual causes of the injury? How likely is it that the injury will reoccur post operatively?hich populations (who) this injury most often happens to, establish if yours is a special case? Or relatively common.
Outcomes or Prognosis following surgery and throughout the rehab process? In all likelihood the surgeon will have rehab professionals that they generally refer to.
Still do your own research regarding your own rehab, and if you can get time frames from your surgeon to provide small goals throughout your rehab journey.
For example , how soon can I weight bare/go on demi pointe/ begin allegro/do en dedan turns ....on that repaired achilles?
Post operatively,
research how your nutrition can affect your journey back to the studio. As your body is trying to repair itself higher levels of micro nutrients (vitamins, minerals and other cofactors) are needed.
As dancers we stand out from the general population, make sure all the medical professionals you deal with know that you are a dancer and try to help them understand as much as possible the demands that are placed on your body. The more they understand you the better results you'll get.
We know your dedicated to your art but try to give yourself the best chance of full recovery by resting and not hurrying the process. Listen to your body and advice you trust. Try and find a coach or a mentor who is experienced in working with injured dancers. Rebuilding your technique so this sort of thing doesn't happen again is fundamental to the longevity of your career.
While its not an ideal way to learn a lesson injuries can teach you a lot about your body. Use your time off to watch others, learn from them and your teachers, and reflect on how you can come back better and stronger than ever before.
Remember many great dancers have been in your shoes! Be patient, find ways to stay positive , and before you know it you'll be back in the studio with renewed passion and appreciation! You may even hear yourself in years to come saying " That was the best thing to happen to me"
