What is Sesamoiditis?

What is Sesamoiditis?

Sesamoiditis is an irritation of the sesamoid bones in the ball of the human foot, according to Foot.com. It is a common ailment because activities that put repetitive force of the ball of the foot can cause it. Individuals who suffer from sesamoiditis tend to be those involved in running, sports that require quick directional changes (such as football, soccer, and tennis), or those who frequently put their weight on the forefoot (e.g., baseball catchers, ballerinas, and rock climbers). Unfortunately, the malady can cause much discomfort and pain and is difficult to treat.

What are the Sesamoids?

Though almost nobody has heard of them until they’ve injured them, the two small sesamoid bones in the human foot play a very big role in human ambulation. The sesamoids sit in the ball of the foot, just behind the big toe, and are located within the tendons that connect to the big toe. They, as the American Academy of Orthopeaedic Surgeons’ webpage on the condition states, act as a “pulley” that makes the tendons connecting to the big toe more efficient. They also assist in weight-bearing.

Treatment of Sesamoiditis

Because of their location in the foot and the role they play in walking, treatment of sesamoiditis is thorny. The sesamoids take a constant beating when a person walks and providing them the rest they need to recover is tricky. Add to that the fact that they are embedded within the tendons themselves, and it is easy to see why treatment of sesamoiditis, a form of tendonitis, is problematic.

The most important thing someone suffering from persistent pain in the bottom of the forefoot can do is see a doctor as soon as possible. It is important to not try to self-treat the condition based on articles such as this one, but rather to use such sources as a way to gain recognition of a potential problem and as an impetus to seek proper treatment. Attempting to self-diagnose and treat is dangerous because the sesamoids, being bones, can break. Because improperly treated broken sesamoids can cause lifelong complications, it is imperative that a doctor make the proper diagnosis, which may require the use of x-rays or an MRI.

Doctors will attempt to alleviate symptoms with conservative treatment initially. Some of the methods you might expect a doctor to employ at first include having the patient to stay off the feet as much as possible. If a patient cannot be off their feet enough, the physician might have them wear a walking boot and use crutches to keep weight off the foot. Other typical initial treatments include the use of anti-inflammatory medication and applying of ice to reduce the associated pain and swelling. If all conservative treatment fails, surgery might be necessary, but often as a last resort because of its numerous possible complications.

Sesamoidits is a frustrating condition. It is difficult to treat and can hamper a person’s lifestyle greatly. It is important to quickly seek proper medical treatment from a physician. The longer treatment is put off, the more difficult treatment will be.

References

American Academy of Orthopeaedic Surgeons http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00164

Foot.com http://foot.com/info/cond_sesamoiditis.jsp