The sesamoid bones are small pea shaped bones that sit beneath the big toe joint. Where there is pain under your big toe it may be called sesamoiditis pain. Let’s look at why you may be seeking sesamoiditis treatment to resolve a common foot pain.
Sesamoiditis basics – The sesamoid bones are like the kneecap, patella bone. They sit beneath the big toe joint and the great toe, and both are attached to muscles and tendons that help pull the big toe downward. Much like the kneecap they each glide in a groove under the joint. They function to increase the leverage of the muscles of the foot to pull this toe downward. This motion is very important for normal gait while running or walking. You may have heard of the term turf toe, this is associated with the sesamoid bones but may also involve inflammation to the tendons and muscles that attach to the sesamoids.
What are the symptoms of sesamoiditis?
Sesamoiditis pain tends to be very localized beneath the big toe joint in the ball of the foot. You’ll favor your foot tending to avoid putting pressure on the bottom of the great toe. High heels will make the pain worse. You may have swelling associated with it. The pain tends to be deep and dull, and you may notice it the most when you first step down in the morning. Which is why most people try to pass it off as morning stiffness and not seek sesamoiditis treatment.
What is the cause of sesamoiditis?
- Foot type – some feet may tend to roll inward referred to as pronation. This would cause more pain to be placed on the ball of the great toe.
- Trauma, sesamoid fractures. You may have fractured the sesamoid bone. You’ll usually be aware of this as a lot of force would be needed to cause a fracture. Landing with a lot of weight on the great toe or severely jamming your great toe upwards may cause a fracture.
- Bunions – A bunion deformity causes the great toe joint to be misaligned. Because of this the seamaids may no longer glide centered in the grooves beneath the metatarsal bone but may now be gliding over centered. This may result in erosion of the cartilage on the ridge that separates the two grooves. Both the cartilage on the seamaid bone and the cartilage on the bottom of the metatarsal breakdown causing octopartite to occur
- Hallux Limitus – This is a deformity of the great toe joint that limits range of motion of the great toe joint. As the joint starts to reduce its motion this may also interfere with the normal gliding of the sesamoid bones and produce pain.
- Overuse- This may be the most common cause and typically develops gradually. This is especially true in activities that may cause a lot of weight bearing beneath the big toe such as ballet, dancing, basketball and volleyball to name a few.
- Shoe gear – If you wear high heels excessively it may cause sesamoiditis. Soft soled shoes would be best.
How is sesamoiditis diagnosed?
- Physical examination – your podiatrist will evaluate your foot to see if you have pain and swelling where the sesamoid bones are located.
- x-rays- these will be taken to see if the sesamoid bones appear normal.
- Congenitally abnormal – you may have been born with an enlarged sesamoid or one that is bipartite, has two parts. These abnormal presentations make it more likely to have pain from these sesamoids.
- Alignment – are the sesamoids positioned where they should be beneath the great toe joint. A bunion deformity will cause them to be misaligned and more likely to hurt.
- Fracture – the x-rays will also help to rule out a fracture.
What are the best Sesamoiditis Treatment?
- Anti-inflammatory NSAIDS – these may be helpful reduce pain and inflammation in more acute stage where the pain has been short term and not to severe Using an Ice pack or wrapped may also help.
- Physical therapy – using ultrasound to reduce inflammation to the area may also be helpful.
- Taping the big toe – This may help by minimaxing the motion in the joint and thereby reduce the pain.
- Cam-walker (short leg fracture brace) – By resting and limiting the motion of great toe joint.
- Custom Orthotics – They have been shown to have great success by limiting the amount of weight placed on the sesamoid bones.
- Cortisone injections – These have also been shown to be effective especially when used in combination with orthotics.
- Laser therapy – laser may also help to reduce inflammation and pain.
How can I avoid sesamoiditis pain?
- Surgery – Surgery to remove the pain of damaged sesamoid may also be performed but only after conservative measured have failed. When surgery is performed it is usually the medial sesamoid that tends to be more prone to pain. This sesamoid is the one that is located towards the other foot.
- Reduce or eliminate activities – for some it may be practical to eliminate an activity that causes more stress to this area of the foot. For others better management of how much of the specific activity that is more likely to cause an injury should be considered. You should gradually increase each activity or consider doing it less frequently.
- Avoid high heels – these will tend to put more weight on the bottom of the great toe joint.
Finally, the number one way to reduce the chances of getting sesamoiditis and prevent recurrence
Orthotics you can have your cake and eat it too. The use of custom-made arch supports may be your best option as a sesamoiditis treatment. Especially if you want to do activities that might make you more prone to injury of the sesamoids. These activities may be tennis, pickleball, running, walking, basketball etc. With every step you take you reduce the load on the sesamoid bones. So don’t assume that you’ll always need to limit your activities or stop doing what you’re presently doing.
