IADMS Madrid 2001   [back to the Category]

Full recovery from a complete Achilles tendon rupture....   [read the french version]

Author :   Michelina C. Cassella, PT

Full recovery from a complete Achilles tendon rupture sustained by an elite female ballet dancer: A team approach

Michelina C. Cassella, PT, Lyle J. Micheli, MD, Christine Ploski, PT, MS, PCS, Dept. of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Aleksandra Koltun, Boston Ballet Company; Boston, MA, USA

In the past a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon in a professional ballet dancer was thought to be a career ending injury. With improved surgical techniques and comprehensive postoperative management by a team of dance medicine specialists, this is no longer the case.
This case presentation will follow the dancer from the onset of injury, opening night of Don Quixote, March 30, 2000, in the role of Kitri, to complete recovery 7 months later, dancing the role of Nikia in La Bayadere, October 21, 2000.
The case study will include:
1. An overview of the Medical Program at Boston Ballet.
2. A video clip of the initial injury with a description of immediate injury care.
3. Description of the surgical repair technique.
4. Physical therapy management from immediate postoperative precautions progressing to full use of the involved extremity stressing a slow, steady, supervised program to resume dance activities.
5. A personal perspective, by the dancer, from the onset of her injury to full recovery.
6. A brief video clip of the dancer’s first performance after full recovery dancing in the role of Nikia in the full length ballet La Bayadere.