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What does a ballerina's foot mean?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have been told that I have a ballerina's foot. Is this dangerous? Does it mean I have a heart disease? Or is it a common finding? Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

This indicates that there is a condition called mitral valve prolapse, where the mitral valve does not close properly, leading to a predisposition for mitral regurgitation—a condition where blood leaks backward through the valve. Therefore, it is important to undergo annual monitoring to assess the severity of this valve leak.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Does it always leak, or can it remain the same? Is there any way that this could have been misdiagnosed? The reason for this is that the cardiologist who did the echo also misdiagnosed me with familial hypocholesterolemia and then said I did not actually have it. Could it be something else? Or just the regurgitation without prolapse?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Many times mitral valve prolapse only have trivial leaks, which do not progress and many times echocardiographers over diagnose mitral valve prolapse. So, the interpretation of mitral valve prolapse varies from one echocardiographer to the other.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.

The Probable causes

The probable cause is possibly congenital.

Investigations to be done

Do re-echo assessment.

Probable diagnosis

The probable diagnosis is mitral valve prolapse.

Treatment plan

For treatment, I suggest periodic monitoring and annual assessment of mitral regurgitation.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Does the ballerina aspect of it make the condition worse and lead to a poorer outcome? Or is it not that significant? I also have constant back pain between my shoulder blades. Is this related? I am really scared that something bad is going to happen as I have a small child. Could I develop cardiomyopathy, and if I already had that, would it have been picked up?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Ballerina's foot is just another name for mitral valve prolapse. It has no connection with the progression of this condition. Also, your back pain is not related, although patients with mitral valve prolapse could present with vague chest pain. Cardiomyopathy will not occur unless you have an additional persistent fast heart rate or decreased blood supply to the heart.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

I read an article, which mentioned wall abnormalities make the condition worse. Also, the article makes out that the appearance of ballerina foot makes it worse. I have attached the article. Does everyone who has MVP show the ballerina foot pattern?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concerns. I just went through the article about wall motion abnormalities and MVP or mitral valve prolapse (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It is stated that the ballerina foot abnormality does not usually cause problems; however, there could be a wall motion abnormality. The risk of developing cardiomyopathy is less.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Treatment plan

Based on your physician's judgment, I suggest you start a small dose of either beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors may prevent adverse LV remodeling (left ventricle) and the development of cardiomyopathy.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

I do not understand the issue. You said that there could be a wall motion abnormality. Is that ballerina's foot, or do you mean something? Do you think this type is definitely degenerative? Is this a more severe type? What do you mean by the risk of developing cardiomyopathy is less?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The ballerina foot abnormality is a wall motion abnormality. When compared to other wall motion abnormalities seen in mitral valve prolapse the risk of adverse events in this particular abnormality is less.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Does the wall abnormality mean the damaged left ventricle? Is this a worse case of MVP? Or could it be one of the benign cases that do not progress?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

In your case, the wall motion abnormality is related to the MVP (mitral valve prolapse) and not due to other causes. Like I said before, the ballerina's foot has less likelihood of progression of cardiomyopathy. Your left ventricle is not damaged here.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Is my MVP a worst case or a benign?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Cardiomyopathy of MVP (mitral valve prolapse) suggests that the ballerina's foot has some association with it, so putting it plainly, I would say you run some risk of developing this so-called cardiomyopathy. I use the word so-called as researchers are reluctant to label it so. It is not exactly benign.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Answered byDr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai

Medically reviewed byDr. K. Shobana

Published At November 16, 2016
Reviewed AtSeptember 27, 2024

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai
Dr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai

Cardiology

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