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

Abstract

<b>OBJECTIVE:</b> To estimate the prevalence of imaging findings that may be associated with osteoarthritis (OA), and their relationship with symptoms in dancers. <b>DESIGN:</b> Etiology systematic review with meta-analysis. <b>LITERATURE SEARCH:</b> Four electronic databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus) from inception to September 2023. <b>STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA:</b> 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. <b>DATA SYNTHESIS:</b> 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. <b>RESULTS:</b> 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. <b>CONCLUSION:</b> 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. <i>J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;55(4):1-9. Epub 3 March 2025. doi:10.2519/jospt.2025.12918</i>.