640 - Curtain Call for Knee Injuries: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Knee Injuries in Broadway Performers

This study seeks to investigate knee pain and injury patterns among performers in Broadway shows, exploring the underlying mechanisms of these injuries and the various factors that contribute to their prevalence.

Design:

We retrospectively reviewed Workman's Compensation cases treated at a private performing arts therapy clinic on Broadway between 2021-2024. Cases from both current and active Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including those running for longer than six months, were included. Active and closed Workman's Compensation cases opened on/before October 16th, 2024 were reviewed.

Results:

We identified 48 total Workman’s Compensation injury cases between seven Broadway shows. Within this data, we found seven knee injury cases (14.6% of the total injury cases) dispersed between three of the Broadway shows, with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) being the most common diagnosis. The knee injury case incidence rates per show were Show #1: 14.3% (3/21 cases), Show #5: 33.3% (1/3 cases), and Show #6: 33.3% (3/9 cases) with two of the Show #6 cases being bilateral knee injuries rather than the unilateral knee injury found in the other cases. Shows with higher rates of tap dancing and repetitive knee movement choreography (e.g., kneeling, rolling, bending) exhibited higher injury rates at the knee and lower extremities. These injuries were linked to overuse and mechanical stress, in performers involved in intensive lower extremity movements.

Conclusions:

Knee injuries in Broadway performers are primarily caused by choreography with knee-intensive movements, diverse dance styles, and environmental factors like costumes and stage design. Our findings highlight the need to address these risk factors through adjustments in choreography and costume design to reduce injury incidence and severity. It is also crucial to develop prevention and treatment strategies that prioritize performers' health, while helping them to continue performing and maintaining career longevity. A comprehensive understanding of knee injury patterns is key to prevention and rehabilitation.