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Sesamoiditis Treatment in Pune
Get expert sesamoiditis treatment in Pune with foot specialists providing pain relief, orthotic support, and rehabilitation for comfortable walking.
Overview
Sesamoid bones are small, unique bones that sit within muscles or tendons throughout your body. Unlike regular bones that connect through joints, these special bones attach to muscles through tendons and work like pulleys to reduce stress and improve muscle function. The name comes from the Arabic word “sesamum,” meaning sesame seed, which reflects their small size.
While your kneecap (patella) is the largest sesamoid bone, this article focuses on the two tiny sesamoid bones located under your big toe. These pea-sized bones play a crucial role in supporting your body weight and helping you push off when walking or running.
Sesamoiditis occurs when these small bones and their surrounding tissues become inflamed and irritated. This condition causes pain in the ball of your foot and is particularly common among athletes, dancers, and people who wear high heels frequently.
Symptoms
The main symptom of sesamoiditis is pain beneath the base of your big toe. This foot pain typically develops slowly over time, starting as a mild ache that gradually becomes more intense. The discomfort usually gets worse when you walk, especially barefoot or in thin-soled shoes.
Other common symptoms include:
- Swelling around the affected area
- Bruising near the big toe or ball of the foot
- Redness of the skin
- Difficulty bending or straightening your big toe
- A “popping” sensation when walking
- Stiffness in the big toe joint
The pain can become severe enough to cause limping or shifting weight to your other foot. This compensation can lead to problems in your knees, hips, and back. It’s important to note that sudden, severe pain with immediate swelling might indicate a bone fracture rather than gradual inflammation.
Causes
Sesamoiditis is primarily caused by overuse and repetitive stress on the sesamoid bones and surrounding tissues. The condition develops when these small bones are subjected to excessive pressure or repeated trauma.
Common causes include:
- Repetitive high-impact activities like running, jumping, or dancing
- Sudden increases in exercise intensity or duration
- Poor footwear choices, especially thin-soled or flexible shoes
- High heel usage that places excessive pressure on the forefoot
- Direct trauma or repeated minor injuries to the foot
- Biomechanical problems that alter pressure distribution in the foot
The inner sesamoid bone (medial sesamoid) is more commonly affected because it bears more weight during normal activities.
Risk Factors
While anyone can develop sesamoiditis, certain factors increase your risk:
Activity-Related Factors:
- Athletes involved in running, dancing, baseball, soccer, or football
- Dancers who frequently perform on their toes
- People who engage in high-impact sports on hard surfaces
Foot Structure:
- High arches that concentrate pressure on the ball of the foot
- Flat feet that alter normal weight distribution
- Foot overpronation (excessive inward rolling when walking)
Lifestyle Factors:
- Frequent high heel wear
- Ill-fitting or narrow shoes
- Sudden weight gain
- Rapid increases in physical activity
Medical Conditions:
- Osteoarthritis in older adults
- Gout (rarely)
- Previous foot injuries
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers use several methods to diagnose sesamoiditis:
Physical Examination: Your doctor will examine your foot, checking for tenderness and swelling around the sesamoid bones. They’ll also test your big toe’s range of motion and may perform specific tests to reproduce your symptoms.
Medical History: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, activities, and what makes the pain better or worse. Understanding your exercise routine and footwear habits is crucial for diagnosis.
Imaging Tests:
- X-rays to rule out fractures or arthritis
- MRI scans for detailed views of soft tissues and bones
- Bone scans to detect inflammation or stress fractures
- CT scans or ultrasound in some cases
Differential Diagnosis: Your doctor will also rule out other conditions like turf toe, gout, or bone death (avascular necrosis) that can cause similar symptoms.
Treatment
Most cases of sesamoiditis respond well to conservative treatment. The goal is to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and allow healing.
Initial Treatment:
- Rest and avoid activities that cause pain
- Ice application for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours
- Elevation of the foot when resting
- Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or aspirin
Footwear Modifications:
- Wear shoes with soft, cushioned soles
- Choose low-heeled or flat shoes
- Avoid high heels, flip-flops, and thin-soled shoes
- Consider stiff-soled shoes or “rocker sole” designs
Orthotic Support:
- Orthotics or shoe inserts with good arch support
- Custom orthotics for specific foot problems
- Padding or cushioning to redistribute pressure
- Morton’s Extension insoles for big toe support
Advanced Treatments:
- Corticosteroid injections for severe inflammation
- Taping the big toe to restrict movement
- Immobilization with a boot or brace in severe cases
- Physical therapy for strengthening and flexibility
Surgical Options: Surgery is considered only when conservative treatments fail. It typically involves removing one sesamoid bone while preserving the other to maintain big toe function.
Rehabilitation
Once acute symptoms improve, rehabilitation helps restore strength, flexibility, and proper foot mechanics.
Stretching Exercises:
- Towel stretches for the big toe
- Calf stretches to improve ankle flexibility
- Soleus muscle stretches for the deep calf muscles
Strengthening Exercises:
- Towel crunches using your toes to gather a towel
- Calf raises to strengthen foot and ankle muscles
- Single-leg balance exercises for stability
- Resistance band exercises for foot muscles
Progressive Return to Activity: Gradually return to your normal activities, starting with low-impact exercises and slowly increasing intensity. Physical therapy guidance is valuable for athletes returning to sports.
Complications
Without proper treatment, sesamoiditis can lead to several complications:
- Chronic pain and permanent damage to the sesamoid bones
- Avascular necrosis (bone death due to poor blood supply)
- Stress fractures of the sesamoid bones
- Compensatory problems in knees, hips, and back from altered walking patterns
- Nerve entrapment due to swelling and scar tissue formation
Prevention
Preventing sesamoiditis involves smart choices about footwear, activities, and foot care:
Footwear Guidelines:
- Choose comfortable, well-fitting shoes with adequate cushioning
- Avoid high heels and thin-soled shoes
- Replace athletic shoes every 6 months or when worn out
- Use orthotics or insoles for additional support
Activity Management:
- Gradually increase exercise intensity and duration
- Alternate high-impact activities with low-impact alternatives
- Listen to your body and rest when needed
- Apply ice after strenuous activities
Biomechanical Factors:
- Address overpronation with proper orthotics
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce foot stress
- Consider gait analysis if you have recurring problems
- Strengthen foot and ankle muscles regularly
Living With Diabetes
Managing sesamoiditis requires patience and consistent care. Recovery time varies from days to months, depending on severity and adherence to treatment.
Daily Management:
- Follow your treatment plan consistently
- Wear prescribed orthotics and appropriate footwear
- Monitor your symptoms and adjust activities accordingly
- Use pain relief methods as recommended by your doctor
Activity Modifications:
- Avoid activities that worsen your pain
- Find alternative exercises that don’t stress your feet
- Gradually return to normal activities as symptoms improve
- Consider long-term modifications to prevent recurrence
Long-term Care:
- Continue using supportive orthotics even after symptoms resolve
- Maintain healthy lifestyle habits
Key Takeaways
- Sesamoiditis is inflammation of small bones under the big toe that causes pain and swelling
- The condition is common in athletes, dancers, and high heel wearers
- Early treatment with rest, ice, and proper footwear is usually effective
- Orthotics and physical therapy play crucial roles in treatment and prevention
- Most cases resolve with conservative treatment, but severe cases may require surgery
- Prevention focuses on proper footwear, gradual activity increases, and biomechanical correction
At Sancheti Hospital, we understand that foot pain can significantly impact your daily life and activities. Our experienced orthopedic specialists and physical therapy team are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for sesamoiditis and other foot conditions.
We offer advanced diagnostic services, including detailed imaging and biomechanical assessments, to accurately diagnose your condition. Our treatment approach combines the latest conservative therapies, custom orthotics, specialized physical therapy programs, and when necessary, minimally invasive surgical techniques.
We work closely with each patient to develop personalized treatment plans that address not just the immediate symptoms but also the underlying causes of sesamoiditis. Our goal is to help you return to your active lifestyle pain-free while preventing future complications through proper education and ongoing support.
Meet Our Foot and Ankle Specialists
Patient Stories & Experiences
The pain in my left knee left me feeling helpless for years. After my treatment here, I can finally say I'm pain-free.
Vinita Singh
The nerves were swollen, and the body went numb. But thanks to Sancheti Hospital, I got a second life!
Parvati
I finally could walk again, a relief I've only felt after the hip pain surgery. I thank the doctors at Sancheti Hospital for their help.
Balaji Kharat
I'm a police officer, and I'm extremely thankful to Sancheti Hospital for treating my fracture without surgery.
Shantilal
My life has completely changed after the knee replacement surgery at Sancheti Hospital. It's like I can finally live again!
Kalpana Lepcha
The knee pain I've carried for years finally went away with the help of Sancheti Hospital.
Karuna
I can't believe that I get to finally live a normal and happy life, all thanks to the knee surgery I had at Sancheti Hospital.
Kishore Bhosle
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still walk normally with sesamoiditis?
You can walk, but you may experience pain and find yourself limping or favoring the other foot. It’s better to limit walking and wear supportive shoes to avoid worsening the condition.
Will my sesamoiditis come back after it heals?
Sesamoiditis can return if you don’t address the underlying causes like poor footwear, sudden activity increases, or biomechanical issues. Using orthotics and proper shoes significantly reduces recurrence risk.
How do I know if my sesamoid bone is fractured or just inflamed?
A fracture typically causes sudden, severe pain that doesn’t improve with rest, while inflammation develops gradually. Only imaging tests like X-rays or MRI can definitively tell the difference – see a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Can sesamoiditis affect both feet at the same time?
Yes, though it’s less common. If you favor one foot due to pain, you may overload the other foot and develop sesamoiditis there too. Bilateral cases often occur in dancers or athletes with biomechanical issues.
What happens if I ignore sesamoiditis and don't treat it?
Untreated sesamoiditis can become chronic, lead to permanent bone damage, or cause stress fractures. You may also develop compensatory problems in your knees, hips, and back from altered walking patterns.
