Sesamoiditis
What is Sesamoiditis?
he most common symptom of Sesamoiditis is pain in the ball-of-the-foot,
especially under the big toe at the ball of the foot. Sesmoid bones are
tiny bones within the tendons that run to the big toe. These bones help
to aid in the bending of the big toe and helps to leverage the tendons
controlling the toe. Every time you push off against the toe the
sesamoids are involved, and eventually they can become irritated, even
fractured.
Sesamoiditis generally appears as a gradual onset of pain. The pain
usually begins as a mild ache. It may build to an intense throbbing. One
of the major causes of sesamoiditis is increased activity. Speedwork,
hill work, or even increased mileage can cause this. If you have a bony
foot, you simply may not have enough fat on your foot to protect your
tender sesamoids. Also, if you have a high arched foot, you will
naturally run on the balls-of-your-feet, adding even more pressure.
Treating Sesamoiditis
Treatment for sesamoiditis is almost always noninvasive, rarely is
surgery necessary but may be an option if conservative care fails. Minor
cases call for a strict period of rest, along with the use of a modified
shoe or a shoe pad to reduce pressure on the affected area. It is
recommended to decrease or stop activity for a while. This will give
your sesamoids time to heal. You should apply ice to the area for 10 to
15 minutes after exercise, or after any activity that aggravates the
area. As with icing, anti-inflammatory medications will help the
swelling go down so healing can begin. While the injury is healing,
women should wear flat shoes on a daily basis. If home remedies do not
work, call us for a correct diagnosis. More resistant cases of
sesamoiditis may require custom orthotics.
Custom Orthotics and Sesamoiditis
Custom functional orthotics, if properly prescribed and fitted, can help
relieve the symptoms of sesamoiditis.
Orthotics for sesamoiditis are prescribed specifically to help take
weight off of the painful area of the foot and to distribute the force
onto the arch or onto the non-painful metatarsal heads.
In order to ensure best outcomes from your orthotics we first perform
a detailed examination, including slow motion video analysis, of how you
walk and how your feet work. A mold of your foot is then taken in a very
specific position and the orthotic devices are prescribed in a manner to
best reduce force and trauma to your sesamoids.
Call today for an appointment in our
convenient Seattle office.
All pages on this website © 2008
Douglas Hale, DPM & Lawrence Huppin, DPM
Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, Seattle
The material provided on this web site is for informative purposes only.
If you need specific medical advice, please contact the office for an appointment.
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