Self-Reported Hip Problems in Professional Ballet Dancers: The Impact on Quality of Life

Hip problems are common in ballet dancers, and it is likely that dancers’ perceived quality of life is impaired by their presence. There are no instruments to detect functional impairments related to hip injuries in young, athletic populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hip related problems on the quality of life in professional ballet dancers. Thirty-seven professional ballet dancers, ages 18 to 33, completed a post-hire health screening prior to the start of their company's season. Participants completed the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) questionnaire, which assesses level of disability due to a hip problem, and answered additional questions regarding the presence of pain with ballet-specific movements. Subjects were also asked to self-report current or prior history of hip problems or injuries. Dancers with a self-reported history of a hip problem (8 of 37, 21.6%) recorded relatively low HOOS sub-scores (indicative of enhanced disability) for pain and quality of life. The remaining sub-scores—for symptoms, activities of daily living (ADLs), and sports—were not significantly different from those of dancers who were problem-free. Dancers with a history of hip problem were also more likely to report hip pain with two or more dance movements. The impact of hip problems on the quality of life in professional ballet dancers tends to persist despite a lack of significant effect on the ability to perform ADLs or sports-related tasks. Therefore, the self-reported presence of a hip problem should be viewed as a risk factor for decreased quality of life in this population.