Sesamoiditis Symptoms and Relief

Noticing pain underneath the big toe that intensifies during weight-bearing activity? It could be a condition called “sesamoiditis”. 

Sesamoiditis is an overuse injury as it affects the sesamoid bones, located under the big toe joint in the foot. Read on to learn more about the causes of this condition and how it’s treated.

Sesamoiditis is an inflammatory condition that affects the sesamoid bones, located under the big toe joint in the foot. These small, pea-shaped bones are embedded in the tendons and are crucial for weight-bearing and toe movement. 

Sesamoiditis typically arises from repetitive stress or overuse, common in activities that exert pressure on the balls of the feet, such as running, ballet, and various sports. It can also occur due to a direct injury, like a fracture of a sesamoid bone.

The main symptom of sesamoiditis is pain under the big toe, which intensifies during weight-bearing activities and may be accompanied by swelling and tenderness. This pain often develops gradually and worsens when engaging in certain activities or wearing specific shoes. Diagnosis involves a physical examination, a review of the patient's history, and imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs to distinguish it from other conditions and assess the inflammation.

Treatment primarily focuses on non-invasive methods: rest, applying ice to the affected area, and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation. Additional measures include padding or cushioning in shoes to relieve pressure from the sesamoid bones, orthotic devices to correct biomechanical imbalances, and physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles and improve foot mechanics. Activity modification is also crucial to avoid exacerbating the condition. Recovery times vary depending on the severity and treatment efficacy, emphasizing the importance of allowing adequate healing time and gradually resuming activities to prevent recurrence.

When looking for insoles to relieve pain from sesamoiditis, we recommend looking for the following: