Imaging Findings Associated With Osteoarthritis Are Common in Dancers, and Are Rarely Symptomatic: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of imaging findings that may be associated with osteoarthritis (OA), and their relationship with symptoms in dancers. DESIGN: Etiology systematic review with meta-analysis. LITERATURE SEARCH: Four electronic databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus) from inception to September 2023. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Included studies reported joint imaging findings in dancers. We considered all study designs that investigated populations with regular participation in any form of dance, at any stage of career. DATA SYNTHESIS: Data were pooled for meta-analysis if at least 3 studies reported on the same intra-articular imaging findings, at the same joint, in a similar dance genre. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies were included. Meta-analysis was performed for the prevalence of hip, ankle, and first metatarsophalangeal joint OA, and ankle effusion. The first metatarsophalangeal joint had the highest prevalence of radiographic OA (59%). The prevalence of symptomatic OA was low (3%). The ankle (radiographic OA 41%) and then the hip (radiographic OA 19%) joint were the next most common regions to report imaging findings, with a lower prevalence of symptomatic OA seen at the ankle (2%) to pool 2 studies and hip (8%) to pool 4 studies. CONCLUSION: There was very low certainty evidence of the first metatarsophalangeal joint having the highest prevalence of imaging findings in dancers, followed by the ankle and hip joints. A lower prevalence of symptomatic OA was seen at all 3 joints. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;55(4):1-9. Epub 3 March 2025. doi:10.2519/jospt.2025.12918.

Keywords: ballet; dancing; joint diseases; musculoskeletal diseases; osteoarthritis; radiological finding.