Our team of podiatric specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with your feet. To learn more about podiatric problems and treatments, please download brochures from our library, provided by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us.
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- Accessory Navicular Syndrome
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Acute Inflammation
- Ankle Fractures
- Ankle Sprain
- Bone Healing
- Bunions
- Calcaneal Apophysitis
- Capsulitis Second Toe
- Cavus Foot
- Charcot Foot
- Chronic Ankle Instability
- Common Disorders Achilles Tendon
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Diabetic Complications
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- Equinus
- Flexible Flatfoot
- Fractures Fifth Metatarsal
- Fractures of Calcaneus
- Gaglion Cyst
- Gout
- Haglund's Deformity
- Hallux Rigidus
- Hammertoe
- Heel Pain
- Ingrown Toenail
- Instructions Crutches
- Lisfranc Injuries
- Malignant Melanoma
- Morton's Neuroma
- Os Trigonum Syndrome
- Osteoarthritus Foot Ankle
- Pediatric Flatfoot
- Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Peroneal Tendon Injures
- Plantar Fibroma
- Plantar Wart
- Pttd
- Puncture Wounds
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Foot Ankle
- Sesamoid Injuries Foot
- Soft Tissue Biopsy
- Stretching Exercises
- Tailor's Bunion
- Talar Dome Lesion
- Tarsal Coalition
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Toe Fractures
Sesamoids are small bones that are connected only to tendons or are embedded in muscle. This structure appears in only a few places in the human body, one of which is the foot. Two very small sesamoids (about the size of a kernel of corn) are found in the underside of the forefoot near the big toe—one on the outer side of the foot and the other closer to the middle of the foot. Sesamoids provide a smooth surface over which the tendons slide, thus increasing the ability of the tendons to transmit muscle forces. In the foot, sesamoids assist with weight-bearing and help elevate the bones of the big toe.
Like other bones, sesamoids can fracture. Additionally, the tendons surrounding the sesamoids can become irritated or inflamed, which is called sesamoiditis and is a form of tendonitis. Sesamoiditis is a common condition among ballet dancers, runners, and baseball catchers because of the pressures placed on their feet.
Symptoms include:
- Pain under the big toe or on the ball of the foot.
- Swelling and bruising.
- Difficulty and pain in bending and straightening the big toe.
Surgery is usually not required to treat sesamoiditis. Treatments generally include:
- Discontinuation of the activity causing the pain and inflammation.
- Over-the-counter pain medications and anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
- Icing the sole of the foot.
- Wearing shoes that are soft-soled and low-heeled.
- Using cushioning in shoes to relieve stress.
- Injection of a steroidal medication to reduce swelling.
If symptoms persist, you may need to wear a removable brace on the leg for 4-6 weeks to give the inflammation time to subside and the bones to heal.