What is Sesamoiditis and How is it Diagnosed?
If you’ve been experiencing pain beneath your big toe joint or in the ball of your foot, sesamoiditis could be the culprit. This common yet often overlooked condition can significantly impact your daily life — but the good news is that with the right care, it is very manageable.
So, what exactly is sesamoiditis?
Sesamoiditis is inflammation of two small bones, called sesamoid bones, that sit beneath the big toe joint. These tiny bones play a big role in how we walk, run, and bear weight — making inflammation in this area particularly disruptive. Excessive pressure beneath the joint typically drives this condition, stemming from a number of factors including high foot arches, a “dropped” metatarsal bone, or atrophy of the fat pad. It is especially common amongst active individuals and older adults.
How is sesamoiditis diagnosed?
At Performance Podiatry, we begin with a thorough history and physical examination of your feet. Using a Zebris force-pressure analysis treadmill, we objectively identify which structures in your foot are being overloaded. In some cases, we may refer you for an x-ray or ultrasound to rule out a sesamoid fracture, as the symptoms of a fracture and sesamoiditis can feel very similar. Best of all, any required x-rays and ultrasounds are bulk billed — no out-of-pocket costs for you.
What causes sesamoiditis? Our biomechanical assessment explained
Once we confirm your diagnosis, we carry out a detailed biomechanical assessment to identify the root cause of your pain. Sesamoiditis can result from one primary factor or a combination of contributing factors, including:
- Prominent metatarsal bones in the ball of the foot
- High or low foot arches
- Late pronation in the walking cycle, which places excessive strain on the big toe joint
- Bunions
- Fat pad atrophy (loss of fat) beneath the ball of the foot
- High impact or repetitive activities such as dancing, soccer or running
Why it’s important to act early
Sesamoiditis is often straightforward to treat when caught early. However, the longer it goes unaddressed, the more stubborn and complex it can become. If you suspect you may be experiencing sesamoiditis, a sesamoid fracture, or general ball of the foot pain, don’t wait — early intervention makes all the difference.
Our expert podiatrists at Performance Podiatry are here to assess your condition and create a personalised management plan tailored to you. For further information, visit our dedicated sesamoiditis information page or contact us today to book an appointment.
Make a podiatrist appointment for sesamoiditis treatment.
Our highly qualified and experienced podiatrists are experts in biomechanics and it’s our philosophy that the finest foot care requires an entirely bespoke experience. That’s why we are dedicated to providing entirely tailor-made diagnosis and treatment services that are the best in Australia.
Our dynamic practice has a holistic approach to resolving foot complaints.
From assessment and diagnosis to extraordinary treatment, every step of your journey with us will deliver you the ultimate podiatric experience, resulting in healthier and happier feet.
Book a consultation with our podiatrists in Sydney (Macquarie St), Darlinghurst and Randwick to discuss your condition and we’ll get you pain-free and back to full function as smoothly and quickly as possible, so you can return to the activities and life you love.
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