Pierre Dupont Doctor of Podiatric Medicine | Chiropodist | Foot Specialist On Symptoms and

Causes of Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a usual problem faced by physically active young people. It causes pain in the inner aspect of the ball of the foot, right under the big toe joint. Some may also face swelling throughout the bottom of the big toe joint. It is a common ailment affecting those who are engaged in physical activities like racket sports, squatting, or running on the ball of the feet and dancing. This can cause the formation of miniature bone spurs on the sesamoid bone.

The spurs themselves act as an irritant to the surrounding tendons that hold sesamoid bone in place. This results in inflammation, swelling and pain. Pierre Dupont D. P. M. | Chiropodist | Foot Specialist says that the condition is typically diagnosed during a simple physical exam by a foot specialist. During the examination, he looks for tenderness at the sesamoid bones. He will also take X-rays of the foot to ensure a proper diagnosis and to rule out sesamoid bone fracture.

Special imaging like an MRI or nuclear bone scan are sometimes ordered to confirm clinical and radiological diagnosis. He says that true fractures are typically easy to find on an plain X-ray views, but the presence of a sesamoid in several pieces may not always be distinguishable from a naturally occurring multi-piece sesamoid that is simply inflamed. He evaluates the nature of line between the pieces to determine if it is a fracture or a natural separation.

The basic treatment course involves removing the inflammation, and reducing the stress that caused this painful condition in the first place if hyperpronation is identified as a major contributive factor. If condition is not abated by use of orthotics and soft lasers, Pierre Dupont D. P. M. | Chiropodist | Foot Specialist recommends a soft cast and an air-boot to completely offset pressure otherwise transferred on the sesamoids.

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