Sesamoiditis

The foot is a complex structure and can suffer all sorts of overuse injuries. If you feel soreness in the ball of your foot, you may have a kind of inflammation called sesamoiditis. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates often provide pain relief and corrective orthotics to people with this problem, but it is easier to treat when people seek help quickly, and we want more people to understand why their foot bones are vulnerable.

Sesamoids are bones that do not directly attach to other bones, but are held in place by tendons and cartilage. The kneecap is one example. Sesamoids and tendons form pulleys that allow other bones to move more efficiently and comfortably, and there are several on the bottom of the foot. They are particularly important for elevating the big toe. Inflammation of the tendons surrounding sesamoids usually results from overuse and is common in dancers and people who play sports that subject the feet to a lot of impacts, such as basketball.

When a person complains of pain on the ball of their foot, we will take x-rays and test the foot’s flexibility. Sesamoiditis can result from the bones being fractured, in which case the patient may need to wear a brace and specialized pad while they heal. If the problem is only inflammation, the patient will gradually return to activity while wearing a supportive pad in their shoe, and we may tape the big toe in place and provide anti-inflammatory medication. People are likelier to develop sesamoiditis if they wear high heels, so patients should also switch to shoes that don’t compress the toes or slide them forward.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.