Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Professional Ballet Dancers at the Opéra de Paris.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the incidence, location, and type of musculoskeletal injuries in ballet dancers at the Opéra de Paris from 2018 to 2023 and to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on injury incidence.

DESIGN

Descriptive Retrospective Study.

SETTING

Primary.

PATIENTS: Professional ballet dancers registered at the Opéra de Paris across 5 seasons (September 1, 2018-June 30, 2023).

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Demographics (age, body mass index, sex, rank).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Injury data (duration, mechanism, location, and type).

RESULTS

The incidence proportion of musculoskeletal injuries ranged from 47.1% to 72.6% per season between 2018 and 2023. Dancers most commonly sustained foot (49.3%) and ankle (45.1%) injuries, with 75.6% of dancers sustaining a lower limb injury. Compared with the 2018 to 2019 season, the risk of a dancer sustaining an injury was significantly lower in the COVID-19 season (2019-2020) (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.21-0.53; P < 0.001), while the risk of an injury resulting in time loss was significantly lower in the 2022 to 2023 season (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.27-0.64; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in professional ballet dancers was as high as 72.6% per season between 2018 and 2023, with the most common injury location being the foot and ankle. Compared with that in the 2018 to 2019 season, the risk of a dancer sustaining an injury was significantly lower in the COVID-19 season (2019-2020). These findings can help anticipate musculoskeletal injuries in professional ballet dancers and improve injury prevention programs, by developing targeted training schemes.