Anterior and Posterior Dynamic Hip Ultrasonography Measures of Femoroacetabular Translation in Professional Ballet Dancers.

Montana, P., Southwick, H., Quinn, B., Elie, O., Cook, D. L., d’Hemecourt, P., Le, H. M., & Stracciolini, A. (2026). Anterior and Posterior Dynamic Hip Ultrasonography Measures of Femoroacetabular Translation in Professional Ballet Dancers.. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine : Official Journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine population values of femoroacetabular translation using dynamic hip ultrasonography (DHUS) in professional ballet dancers.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort.

SETTING: Three ballet companies.

PARTICIPANTS: Ninety professional ballet dancers.

INTERVENTIONS: Dynamic hip ultrasonography was performed (12 images/dancer, 1080 images). Biometrics included Trochanteric Prominence Angle Test and Beighton Score.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anterior and posterior DHUS measures were documented, and femoroacetabular translation was calculated.

RESULTS: Anterior exam mean values for female dancers in neutral (N), neutral flexed (NF), and extension external rotation (EER) positions were 4.3 ± 2.05, 9.4 ± 2.61, and 11.4 ± 2.83, respectively, and anterior translation 2.1 ± 2.08; for posterior exam, posterior neutral, posterior flexion adduction internal rotation, and posterior stand positions showed a median value (interquartile range [IQR]) 0 (0-2) and mean values of 11.7 ± 4.89 and 8.8 ± 4.63, respectively, and posterior femoroacetabular translation 10.4 ± 4.62. Ultrasound measures for male dancers' anterior exam showed 5.5 ± 2.86, 10.9 ± 2.82, and 12.9 ± 2.78 and anterior translation 1.9 ± 1.62, and posterior exam measures showed median (IQR) 0 (0-3) and mean 11.3 ± 4.69 and 10.1 ± 5.36 and posterior femoroacetabular translation 9.6 ± 3.82. Differences by sex were found in N and NF positions: male dancers had greater translation versus female dancers in the left (P = 0.03 and P = 0.03, respectively) and right hips (P = 0.02 and P = 0.004, respectively). Males had greater EER in the right hip compared with females (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic hip ultrasonography determined population values in professional ballet dancers. Sex-based differences among dancers were found.

Last updated on 04/02/2026
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