Educational Articles

Sesamoiditis

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

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The above content is for educational or informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or augment professional medical instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. Read full disclaimer here.

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Comments
March 30, 2018
Candy Everitt

Hi,

I am battling sesamoid pain following an Austin bunionectomy with screw fixation. The bunion was corrected, which I am very thankful for; however, I have been left with agonizing pain under the ball of my foot (it feels like a pebble).

My questions: Even though the bunion was removed (and the big toe is aligned), is it possible that the toe could still be “off,” resulting in the sesamoid bones becoming slightly misaligned and causing this pain? Also, will Correct Toes help in aligning the sesamoid bones in their proper location? I am an active individual who loves running and exercising, and this pain is debilitating. Thank you for your time!

March 30, 2018
Natural Footgear

Hi, Candy,

Thank you for your comment. I’m sorry to hear about that sesamoid pain. That does indeed sound agonizing.

It’s hard to say exactly what’s going on here without the benefit of a full health history interview and physical examination, so I can’t really comment on possible underlying problems that may or may not be due to the bunionectomy.

What I can say is that misaligned sesamoid bones can be a significant source of pain at the base of the big toe, and that Correct Toes toe spacers have, in our experience, been helpful in realigning the sesamoid bones and alleviating sesamoid-related discomfort.

Please do let us know if you have any additional questions!

Kind regards,
Marty Hughes, DC

February 23, 2021
Mercedes Rojas

Hello. My daughter has been diagnosed with a sesamoid stress fracture on her left foot, with necrosis of the sesamoid. The doctor says she will need to have a sesamoidectomy. Do you know if physical therapy will help once there is already necrosis in place? Trying to avoid surgery here, but I don’t want there to be further damage if she already has necrosis. Thank you so much.

February 23, 2021
Natural Footgear

Hi, Mercedes,

Thank you for your message. I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s diagnosis. I can certainly understand why you’d want to avoid surgery for this issue, as it typically has poor outcomes and often results in big toe dysfunction. There are a number of alternatives you might consider/look into before consenting to the sesamoidectomy, including shockwave therapy, bone growth stimulator therapy, and regenerative injection therapies. It would be helpful to know what imaging study was performed to render the diagnosis of necrosis. I also wonder if your daughter has undergone a period of immobilization to see if the problem will heal naturally? And, finally, does your daughter still wear shoes that possess heel elevation and toe spring? If so, this kind of footwear is putting pressure and tension directly onto her vulnerable sesamoids and is best avoided.

Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do to assist or if you have any follow-up questions for us.

Kind regards,
Robyn Hughes, ND

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