Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 11/17/2009

Question
I am 13 years old and have been a ballet dancer for 8 years. I have started pointe 2 months ago. I have a problem with pain in my right big toe. The pain starts almost immediately when I go en pointe. I have no pain in my left foot en pointe, neither have I any pain in either foot without point shoes, at any time. I can put as much pressure or flex my right toe in any way without problems or pain but as soon as I stand en pointe and put pressure on my right foot the pain is very bad. The pain is felt in the middle of my toe around the joint. After 10 minutes of dancing en pointe it is impossible to dance any further. I have no pain for normal dancing. I use an ouch pouch and a foam band around my toe. My shoes fit well and the teacher says they seem ok. However, my toe hurts a little when I flex it when the pointe shoe is on without standing en pointe. Can you offer any advice?

Answer
Hi Clara. I recommend that you see a chiropractor who can both examine your foot for misalignment in the big toe joints, (and then adjust as needed), and also take an x-ray if he/she deems it necessary. Certainly there is something going on with that toe that needs to be seen.

Do this as soon as you can, and it is my opinion that you should not do pointe until you have had the toe looked at. Since you can do all your other ballet without pain, this isn't a problem.

Don't worry about this. Problems can be fixed, and once you know what it is you'll know how it can be corrected.

All the best, Dianne