Sesamoiditis And Sesamoid Bone Injuries

If you feel pain in the balls of your feet, you may have sesamoiditis. An early sign of this foot condition is a constant mild pain in the area where your sesamoid bones are located, just behind the big toe. A simple movement of the big toe can aggravate this condition, making walking difficult and very painful. In many cases there is an associated swelling in the forefoot areas up to the bottom part of the big toe, with the area tender to the touch.

Located at the base of the big toes are two small bean shaped bones, which are called the sesamoid bones. These small bones function as a fulcrum to the tendon, and help to improve efficiency of movement by holding the tendon away from the bone, in this case, the first metatarsal bone. Due to the prominent position, and being weight bearing bones, they can become injured relatively easily.

There are many reasons why the sesamoid bones can get injured, and the resulting condition of sesamoiditis develops. Sesamoiditis is the name given to the inflammation of the bones and surrounding tissue. Different people from different industries and walks of life can get this condition, although any activity or work which places an undue pressure on the balls of the feet can trigger the condition.

The condition is highly prevalent with athletes in the fields of running, baseball and basketball, and it is these people who are some of the most likely to develop sesamoiditis. This is due to their daily routine involving putting too much weight on the sesamoid bones. Ballet Dancers are another group of people who are prone to develop sesamoditis, as most of their dancing is completed on the ball of the foot.
It must be noted that sesamoiditis is not limited to dancers and athletes, and anyone can develop the condition. Ill-fitting shoes can cause the condition to develop, and women who frequently wear high heeled shoes have a tendency to develop this condition as well. Lifting the heel places a greater force on the balls of the foot and the sesamoid bones. The burning feet felt after a night in the heels is an indication that the feet are not having an easy time of it.

To avoid making sesamoiditis worse, you need to avoid activities which place a strain o the balls of the feet, with a period of absence from exercise and rest one of the best treatments. Metatarsal pads and metatarsal bars are excellent for easing the strain on the sesamoid bones, with orthotic insoles a great way to prevent the condition from developing in the first place.

Fortunately the condition can be treated easily following a diagnosis, although it may take a little while to get back to your usual exercise routine.