Young people are physically active, which is why they are most prone to getting sesamoiditis, says Dr. Adam Teichman. He is owner and founder of East Penn Foot & Ankle Associates in Allentown, Easton, and Reading, Pennsylvania, and talks here about how this painful foot condition can be treated using non-invasive means.
Sesamoiditis is usually a painful inflammation of the sesmoid apparatus, located at the forefoot of the foot, under the first metatarsal of both feet. The condition commonly affects physically active young people.
Sesamoiditis causes pain in the ball of the foot, especially in the inside of the foot. The pain can be constant at times and can be alleviated with rest, while weight bearing can aggravate the symptoms. Movement of the big toe joint can also irritate the sesmoid apparatus.
The symptoms might also be accompanied by swelling, or edema, throughout the plantar aspect of the foot. The pain will come on gradually, which is how you can discern sesamoiditis from other conditions, such as a fracture in the foot. Your foot and ankle surgeon can diagnosis this condition correctly by looking for tenderness at the sesamoid bones, and by carrying out small manipulations in the foot to see if the pain intensifies.
Non-Invasive Treatment
Treatment of sesamoiditis is always non-invasive. Minor cases just call for a strict period of rest or immobilization, sometimes we can also modify the shoe with a pad or orthotic to offload the area that is irritated. Strapping or trying to immobilize the joint is also a viable option to offload weight from the area if other measures do not alleviate the discomfort.
During the healing process it is recommended to stop or decrease activity. We also recommend the Rice Therapy: Rest, Ice, Cold or Compression and Elevation, as sticking to these four rules will also help alleviate the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medication will also help.
While the injury is healing we recommend that women avoid heeled shoes to alleviate pressure on the forefoot. If all else fails, a local steroid injection along with immobilization of the foot will usually help. X-rays and MRIs help diagnose and manage sesamoiditis.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
