Demetri Papoutsis; Osteopath Treated Dancers

Demetri Papoutsis, 61, an osteopath who specialized in treating dancers’ injuries, in many cases saving their careers. In 1967, he became a senior clinical tutor at London’s British School of Osteopathy. He also had his own practice in London, specializing in sports injuries. Among his greatest successes was virtuoso dancer Peter Schaufuss. The dancer severely injured his back shortly after George Balanchine accepted him into the New York City Ballet in 1976. U.S. doctors told Schaufuss that his dancing career was over. Schaufuss instead went to Britain, became Papoutsis’ patient and was able to resume his dancing career. Papoutsis later paid tribute to their relationship in the internationally shown television 1984 documentary series “Dancer.” Papoutsis was appointed consultant osteopath to the London School of Contemporary Dance in 1973 and consultant osteopath to the London Festival Ballet in 1974. In London on Aug. 21 of heart disease.