Bunions in Ballet Dancers: Causes & How To Manage Them

If you are a dancer, chances are you’ve been told you have a bunion, you’re going to get a bunion, or you’ve spent way too much time staring at your big toe, wondering if that bump is “normal.”

In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, we take a biomechanics-based look at bunions in ballet dancers.

You will learn:

What is a bunion?
Why are bunions so common in ballet dancers?
The difference between having a bunion and having bunion pain
How ballet shoe and pointe shoe fit influences symptoms
What dancers can realistically do to manage bunions and reduce irritation

We also talk about turnout mechanics, loading through the big toe, toe spacers, and why no single product or exercise can “fix” a bunion... but many strategies can help dancers stay comfortable and dancing longer.

🎧 Subscribe to the Ballet Science Podcast (YouTube, Apple, Spotify) for weekly episodes on biomechanics, injury prevention, adult ballet, anatomy, mindset, and the science behind dance.

💬 Have more questions about bunions? Leave them in the comments... your questions may shape future episodes.

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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

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