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The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Sesamoiditis (Inflammation of Bones Under Big Toe)
Sesamoiditis is inflammation and irritation of the sesamoid bones and surrounding tendons under the big toe joint, caused by repetitive pressure and overuse from activities like dancing, running, or wearing high heels - it causes gradual-onset forefoot pain that worsens with walking or push-off, typically responding well to conservative treatment with offloading pads, stiff-soled shoes, and activity modification achieving 80-90% pain relief within 6-8 weeks.
đWhat is Sesamoiditis (Inflammation of Bones Under Big Toe)?
Sesamoiditis is inflammation and irritation of the sesamoid bones and surrounding tendons under the big toe joint, caused by repetitive pressure and overuse from activities like dancing, running, or wearing high heels - it causes gradual-onset forefoot pain that worsens with walking or push-off, typically responding well to conservative treatment with offloading pads, stiff-soled shoes, and activity modification achieving 80-90% pain relief within 6-8 weeks.
đŦWhat Causes It?
- Repetitive stress and overuse of forefoot (ballet dancing, running, court sports)
- Excessive pressure on sesamoid bones from high-heeled shoe wear
- Sudden increase in training intensity or mileage (runners, dancers)
- Foot biomechanics causing increased sesamoid loading (high arch, cavus foot)
- Hard playing surfaces (dancing on concrete, running on hard courts)
â ī¸Risk Factors
You may be at higher risk if:
- Ballet dancing or activities requiring repetitive push-off on toes
- Distance running or sudden increases in running mileage
- High-heeled shoe wear (shifts body weight onto ball of foot)
- High-arched feet (cavus foot increases pressure on sesamoids)
- Previous sesamoid injury or fracture
đĄī¸Prevention
- âGradual progression of training load (avoid sudden increases in running mileage or dance intensity)
- âWear appropriate supportive footwear (avoid thin-soled shoes, limit high-heel wear)
- âUse dancer's pads or metatarsal pads proactively if high-risk activity (ballet, running)
- âCross-training to reduce repetitive forefoot loading (alternate running with cycling, swimming)
- âAddress foot biomechanics with orthotics if cavus foot or excessive forefoot pressure
- âStrengthen intrinsic foot muscles to support sesamoid complex