Date of Award

5-2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Thesis

Department

Dance

First Advisor

Susan McGuire

Abstract

The acetabulofemoral joint, more commonly referred to as the hip joint, is an extremely important mechanism of the human body. It plays a crucial role in a person's ability to sit and stand, walk and run, jump and crouch, and more. Not only this, but the hip joint bears most of the weight of the body, making it necessary for the joint and surrounding anatomical structures to be strong and stable. Fortunately, hip joints are built in such a way that allow for an extreme range of motion while simultaneously providing support for the rest of the body. Additionally, the ball-and-socket construction of the hip joint makes it possible to flex and extend, abduct and adduct, and rotate our legs. In other words, the legs are able to move in nearly every direction, including forwards and backwards, outwards and inwards, and also rotate externally and internally. Comprised of bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and a synovial membrane, the hip joint is required to be a well-oiled machine. However, the structural complexity and physical demand of the hip joint can make it susceptible to inflammation, degeneration, chronic, and acute injuries. Athletes, who naturally demand more from their bodies, place even more pressure on the hip joints. Classical ballet in particular requires the complex acetabulofemoral joint to move in every conceivable direction. As such, classical ballet dancers can become more prone to acetabular labral tears, a chronic, degenerative condition that affects the cartilage between the acetabulum and femoral head. While the injury can be treated conservatively or more aggressively-with arthroscopic surgery-dancers value every possible second of dancing. So, to what extent can classical ballet dancers with acetabular labral tears safely manage their pain without the need for arthroscopic surgery?

Download

Included in

Dance Commons

Share

COinS