Elaine Hendrix Details Rib Injury Recovery
The former Dancing with the Stars competitor explained the treatment she received after tearing a muscle in her rib during rehearsal.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Dancing
Elaine Hendrix, 55, revealed how she recovered from a rib injury sustained during rehearsal on Dancing with the Stars, after being hospitalized on October 28, 2025. She returned to the ballroom one week later for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night on November 4.
Why it matters
The account offers a firsthand look at how a muscle tear in the rib was treated and how quickly a performer returned to competition under a demanding schedule. Readers across the United States interested in dance and competitive television may find the details informative about injury management in high-intensity performance.
Hendrix received 16 anesthetic shots to numb the nerves around her rib, along with about as many Toredal shots for muscle pain. The source does not state the long-term outcome of the injury.
The players
Elaine Hendrix
Elaine Hendrix is an American actress who competed on Dancing with the Stars and is 55 years old.
Alan Bersten
Alan Bersten is a professional ballroom dancer who was Hendrix's partner on Dancing with the Stars during the season.
The details
Hendrix's doctors determined she tore a muscle in her rib, with nothing broken and no organs affected. She shared a video on November 2 detailing the diagnosis and treatment she received before returning to the ballroom.
Timeline
October 27, 2025: Hendrix posted a video saying she was excited to perform.
October 28, 2025: Hendrix was hospitalized after intense rib pain during rehearsal.
November 2, 2025: Hendrix shared an Instagram video detailing the injury diagnosis.
November 4, 2025: Hendrix returned to competition for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night.
Season Trajectory
Hendrix's quick return to the ballroom reflects the pressure contestants face to keep pace with a fixed competition schedule, even after injury. Her season ended with a fifth-place finish alongside Bersten.
Viewers can watch Dancing with the Stars on its broadcast schedule, and the show's competition format means contestants' health and availability can shape which performances air. Readers following the series can track each week's results through standard broadcast listings.
The takeaway
Hendrix's account shows that a performer can return to competition quickly after a muscle injury when a medical team manages pain and nerve symptoms directly. Anyone recovering from a similar injury should consult their own physician before resuming strenuous activity.
Further reading
Explore more stories in the Dancing section for additional context on the competitive dance world.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Beast.
