Introduction: In the United States, 21% of adolescents participate in dance. Dancers are susceptible to injuries, particularly of the lower extremity, due to extreme positioning, dynamic overload, and repetitive movements.

Objectives: (1) to report the prevalence and describe demographic characteristics of dance-related fractures and (2) to analyze variables associated with disposition status.

Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database, published by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, was used to investigate dance-related fractures diagnosed in a sample of 100 emergency departments over 20 years. Descriptive statistics and demographic variables were analyzed using chi square tests. Age was analyzed as a continuous variable using a one-way analysis of variance. Chi square tests were used to assess factors related to disposition status.

Results: Between 01/01/2004 and 12/31/2023, 1,271 patients experienced 1,327 fractures. More injuries occurred in females and patients under the age of 18 (p < 0.0001). When analyzing fracture location, upper extremity fractures were 47.3% of the total (n = 628), lower extremity fractures were 47.2% (n = 626), head/neck fractures were 2.9% (n = 39) and trunk fractures were 2.6% (n = 34). Regarding disposition status, patients were more likely to be discharged (n = 1,234, 93%) than admitted to the hospital (n = 93, 7%) (p = 0.004). Patients over the age of 18 had increased odds of hospital admission (OR = 5.11, p < 0.0001). Patients with lower extremity fractures had increased odds of hospital admission (OR = 2.14, p = 0.002), while patients with head/neck fractures had decreased odds of hospital admission (OR = 0.31, p = 0.041). Patients with upper and lower extremity fractures were younger than those with trunk fractures (p = 0.007 and p = 0.021, respectively). The most commonly reported mechanism of injury was falling.

Conclusion: The NEISS national weighted estimate was 39,211 cases or 1,960 cases per year. Dance-related fractures more commonly occurred in females under 18 with similar rates between upper and lower extremities. Most patients were discharged, and those over 18 and those with lower extremity fractures were more likely to be admitted.

Level of evidence: III.

Keywords: Key Terms: trauma; ballet; dance; fracture; injury; sports.

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