Sesamoiditis

What are sesamoids?

When you think of your bones, you imagine them connecting to one another, forming the support structure to your body. But some bones don’t connect to any bones. These bones are called sesamoids. Your kneecaps are sesamoids, for example. You also have two very small sesamoids in each of your feet. 

Underneath the joint of your big toe, two corn kernel-sized bones are anchored in place by tendons. These tibial and fibular sesamoids protect the large tendon that connects to your big toe, allowing it to flex when you walk while stabilizing you with each step you take. For such small bones, they bear a big burden. When that burden takes a toll, it results in sesamoiditis. 

What is sesamoiditis?

Sesamoiditis, an inflammatory condition, affects the tendons that support your sesamoids. When inflammation develops in the tendons around your sesamoids, it causes symptoms like:

• Pain in the ball of your foot under your big toe
• Pain or difficulty bending your big toe
• Swelling
• Bruising

Certain activities heighten your risk for sesamoiditis. Running, jumping, or doing activities that stress the ball of your foot — like ballet dancing or playing catcher is baseball — can all contribute to sesamoiditis. 

Additionally, your shoe choices can play a role. Wearing high heels without much cushioning increases your risk for sesamoiditis, as does wearing shoes with insufficient arch support, especially if you have a high arch. 

Fortunately, when the Precision Podiatry team treats your sesamoiditis, they can help you make changes to avoid this condition in the future. 

How is sesamoiditis diagnosed and treated?

Before your Precision Podiatry doctor treats your foot pain, they first confirm that the pain is caused by sesamoiditis rather than a fracture of either of your sesamoids. They may have you perform certain motions or press onto targeted parts of your foot to localize the problem. If necessary, they may request an X-ray. 

Once they confirm that your foot pain is caused by inflammation, they start developing a personalized treatment plan for you. Often, the first line of treatment is a combination of rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication. Your Precision Podiatry provider may also recommend periodic cortisone injections to manage the inflammation. 

Don’t live with pain in the ball of your foot. To find out if your discomfort is the result of sesamoiditis, call Precision Podiatry today.