Before our studies of twenty advanced female ballroom dancers, we thought most would have a Hallux Valgus and most would not have a Pes Planus because of the arch support in heeled ballroom shoes. We also hypothesized more Hallux Valgus to be shown because of habitual pronation with certain styles of ballroom and weight bearing on the medial side of the foot. We found twelve of the dancers had Hallux Valgus and twelve had Pes Planus. Also, eight dancers had both deviations and four had neither.
Dancers: 20
With Hallux Valgus: 12
Dancing for more than 10 years with Hallux Valgus: 6
Dancing for less than 10 years with Hallux Valgus: 6
Dancers: 20
With Pes Planus: 12
Dancing for more than 10 years with Pes Planus: 4
Dancing for less than 10 years with Pes Planus: 8
From our study, we discovered our hypothesis was not accurate, since there was an equal amount of dancers with both Hallux Valgus and Pes Planus. However, sixty percent of the twenty dancers we observed had a deviation, leaving us to wonder if they were caused by the ballroom shoes worn and the movement required. As found in a study by Daniel Wu, M.D., "the pressure increases as the height of the shoe heel increases. Wearing a three and a quarter inch heel increases the pressure on the bottom of the forefoot by 76 percent. The increased pressure may lead to pain or foot deformities" (Wu). Our study also led us to encourage the dancers to research their family history of hereditary patterns of Hallux Valgus or Pes Planus.
