Sesamoiditis: What Is It, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment (2024)

Do I have sesamoiditis or gout?

While sesamoiditis is caused by overuse, gout occurs due to a buildup of uric acid. Gout can affect any joint, but it commonly occurs in the big toe. In most cases, gout flare-ups begin suddenly while sesamoiditis pain is gradual. Keep in mind, however, that a proper diagnosis is necessary to determine which condition is affecting your toe.

Is sesamoiditis the same as turf toe?

No. Though both conditions affect the big toe, they are different in nature. Turf toe — medically known as a metatarsophalangeal joint sprain — is an injury that occurs when the big toe joint extends beyond its normal range. The pain develops suddenly and is usually accompanied by immediate pain and swelling. Conversely, sesamoiditis is a condition that results from overuse. Sesamoid pain usually develops gradually over time.

Can you break a sesamoid bone?

Yes. It’s possible to fracture a sesamoid bone. This is usually caused by a direct blow to the foot, though it can also be due to repetitive stress. Treatments for a broken sesamoid bone may include:

  • A cast or splint to keep the bone stable as it heals.
  • Medications to ease inflammation and discomfort.
  • Crutches to take weight off of your foot.
  • Physical therapy exercises to gain strength and improve range of motion.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Sesamoiditis can sneak up on you. It might start as a vague ache and then one day erupt into intense throbbing pain. Repetitive stress injuries like sesamoiditis occur when we ignore our body’s smaller stress signals until it decides to crank up the volume. When it gets to that point, we’ll regret it — especially if it means a long recovery period avoiding our usual activities. Take the health of your feet into your own hands by practicing preventative care. Pay attention to pain signals, and give your feet a rest after working them hard. When pain persists, seek treatment right away. Getting off your feet sooner will help you get back on your feet sooner.

Sesamoiditis: What Is It, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment (2024)

FAQs

Sesamoiditis: What Is It, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment? ›

Sesamoid

Sesamoid
In anatomy, a sesamoid bone (/ˈsɛsəmɔɪd/) is a bone embedded within a tendon or a muscle. Its name is derived from the Greek word for 'sesame seed', indicating the small size of most sesamoids. Often, these bones form in response to strain, or can be present as a normal variant.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Sesamoid_bone
itis is an inflammation of the sesamoid bones in the ball
ball
The ball of the foot is the padded portion of the sole between the toes and the arch, underneath the heads of the metatarsal bones. Ball.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Ball_(foot)
of the foot and the tendons they are embedded in. It's usually caused by overuse, especially by dancers, runners and athletes who frequently bear weight on the balls of their feet. It's treated with rest and anti-inflammatory medication.

What is the fastest way to cure sesamoiditis? ›

Often, the best treatment for sesamoiditis is resting and avoiding (or changing) the routines that trigger it (dancing, running, etc). How do you cure sesamoiditis? Sesamoiditis cannot be definitively cured, as there is always a risk of re-triggering it.

What is the cause of sesamoiditis? ›

Sesamoiditis is a chronic injury, caused by frequent pressure and results in irritation and painful inflammation of the surrounding tissues.

What can be mistaken for sesamoiditis? ›

Many conditions, such as turf toe or certain types of arthritis, can mimic sesamoiditis. To rule out these conditions, your doctor may request imaging tests. This also allows them to check to see if your sesamoiditis includes a stress fracture in the sesamoids.

Can sesamoiditis heal on its own? ›

Mild cases of sesamoiditis resolve within a few days with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. Some bouts of sesamoiditis may take longer to heal. If symptoms don't fade within a week or so, your doctor may recommend that you wear a removable, short leg brace.

Is walking good for sesamoiditis? ›

Dancing, running, and other high impact activities are sure to irritate the sesamoid and should be avoided. Often with seamoiditis even walking can cause irritation so shoes with proper support are very important.

What aggravates sesamoiditis? ›

Activities straining the forefoot — especially high-impact exercise directly over the sesamoids — tend to worsen pain and prolong healing. Poorly fitting shoes can also exacerbate symptoms. Likewise, allowing mild cases to progress to chronic injury results in increased pain levels and a longer recovery.

What does sesamoiditis pain feel like? ›

You may sometimes feel that you are "walking on a marble," and you have persistent pain in the ball of your foot. You may also have numbness in the toes. Metatarsalgia - This condition can also cause pain in the ball of your foot, that area between your arch and the toes.

What happens if sesamoiditis is left untreated? ›

If left untreated, sesamoid disorders typically continue to hurt and your big toe's motion and strength may decrease. A lesion can develop beneath the ball of your foot that makes walking difficult. Arthritis may eventually develop and you can lose cartilage in your big toe's joint with your foot.

Can sesamoiditis be seen on xray? ›

Imaging Tests

Because the edges of a bipartite medial sesamoid are usually smooth, and the edges of a fractured sesamoid are usually jagged, an X-ray is useful in making an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor may also request X-rays of the other foot to compare the bone structures. Bone scan.

Does sesamoiditis hurt all the time? ›

Sesamoiditis pain is often associated with a dull, longstanding pain beneath the big toe joint. The pain comes and goes, usually occurring with certain shoes and/or aggravated by specific weight bearing activities. Pain is caused when the tendons surrounding the sesamoids become inflamed or irritated.

How do I know if I have sesamoiditis? ›

Dull chronic pain especially if it comes and goes under the ball of the big toe, or changes with certain shoes or activties can be indicative of sesamoiditis. If the pain is more persistent and even at night, the toe may have developed arthritis around the sesamoid bones.

Should you massage sesamoiditis? ›

Is Massage Good for Sesamoiditis? While it is not advised to massage directly over the sesamoid bones, gentle massage of the area around the sesamoid bones can help to improve blood circulation to the sesamoid bones, which can help to speed up recovery time.

Why won t my sesamoiditis go away? ›

Sesamoiditis can always occur again. It can also do permanent damage if it's not allowed to fully heal, or if you wait too long to seek treatment. To avoid chronic sesamoiditis and permanent damage, stay aware, take your pain seriously and practice preventative care.

Should you ice or heat sesamoiditis? ›

Use a Cold Compress or Ice Pack:

24 to 72 hours after your initial injury or when you first notice pain and swelling in the ball of your foot to stop tissue damage at the microscopic level, relieve pain, and decrease swelling. After exercise, workouts or activity of any kind to prevent re-injury of your sesamoids.

References

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