Sesamoiditis Treatment by Top Foot Doctors in Kansas City, MO

What Causes Sesamoiditis?

Sesamoiditis is typically caused by excessive stress on the sesamoid bones and surrounding tissue. Common causes include:

• Engaging in repetitive activities that put pressure on your feet like dancing, running, or playing sports.
• Sesamoiditis can be caused by wearing shoes that lack proper support or have a tight toe box.
• People with high arches may develop sesamoiditis
• If you don’t warm up properly before physical activities or suddenly become active after a long period of being sedentary, your foot won’t adapt to the gradually increasing stress.

Symptoms of Sesamoiditis:

Sesamoiditis can be painful and common symptoms include:

• A dull aching pain beneath the big toe joint. This pain could be mild or severe and is often made worse during high periods of activity.
• Noticeable swelling in the area around the big toe.
• Stiffness and limited range of motion of the big toe and surrounding joints.
• Pain when walking or pain that interferes with your daily activities.

Treatment for Sesamoiditis:

The key treatment for sesamoiditis is to relieve pain, prevent further damage, and reduce inflammation. While treatment depends on the severity of the condition, common treatments are:

• Rest and avoid activities that worsen the pain and exacerbate the issue.
• Orthotics or shoe inserts that provide support and distribute your weight evenly across your foot and relieving stress on the sesamoid bones. Your doctor may also recommend padding or taping your foot to provide extra support.
• Physical therapy to improve foot strength, flexibility, and aid in recovery.
• Some cases require a boot or the use of a cast to allow the sesamoid bones to heal.
• If your case is not responding to other treatments or over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain.

Preventing Sesamoiditis:

• Wear shoes that give you support, cushioning, and room for your toes.
• Before you work out or engage in sports, dancing, or any physical activity, make sure you stretch and warm up your feet and lower legs.
• Avoid a sudden increase in activity and give your feet time to adapt.
• Consider maintaining a healthy weight to decrease the pressure on your feet.
• Seek medical attention for any chronic foot pain to prevent long-term damage or chronic inflammation in the foot or sesamoid bones.