Sesamoiditis
Sesamoiditis is a painful condition affecting the small sesamoid bones underneath the big toe joint.
At Aligna Podiatry in Balwyn North we treat sesamoiditis by reducing pressure on the painful area and addressing the reason it became overloaded in the first place. We may use high-power laser therapy to help reduce pain and support the body’s healing response alongside targeted exercises, footwear changes and custom orthotics where needed. We also assess your foot biomechanics so we can reduce stress on the sesamoids and help prevent the pain from returning. Book a sesamoiditis assessment today.
What is sesamoiditis?
Sesamoiditis is inflammation and irritation around the small sesamoid bones underneath the big toe joint.
Sesamoid bones are small bones that sit within tendons underneath the foot. The two sesamoids underneath the big toe help absorb pressure and allow the big toe to move properly when you walk, run and push off.
Because they carry a lot of force they can become irritated when they are repeatedly overloaded.
Sesamoiditis can develop from:
- Running or jumping
- Dancing or gymnastics
- Sports that involve repeated push-off
- Wearing high heels or shoes that put pressure on the front of the foot
- A sudden increase in activity
- Foot biomechanics that increase pressure under the big toe
- A direct knock or injury to the area
How it feels:
- Pain underneath the big toe joint
- Tenderness when pressing on the sesamoid area
- Pain when pushing off while walking or running
- Pain when bending the big toe upwards
- Swelling or bruising underneath the forefoot
- Pain that gets worse with activity
If the pain is ignored and the area continues to be overloaded it can take much longer to settle and in some cases there may be a more significant injury such as a stress fracture.
Signs, symptoms & when to see a podiatrist
Common signs:
- Pain underneath the big toe
- Tenderness directly over one or both sesamoid bones
- Pain when walking or running
- Pain when pushing off the ground
- Pain when bending the big toe upwards
- Swelling around the big toe joint
- Pain that gets worse during sport
See a podiatrist if:
- The pain has lasted more than a few days
- You are limping or changing the way you walk
- You cannot comfortably push off your big toe
- The area is swollen or bruised
- The pain keeps returning after activity
- You have pain even when resting
- The pain started after a significant injury
Sesamoid pain can sometimes feel similar to other conditions affecting the big toe and forefoot. An assessment helps determine whether you are dealing with sesamoiditis or whether further investigation is needed.
How we treat sesamoiditis at Aligna
We treat sesamoiditis by taking pressure off the painful area first and then addressing the reason it became overloaded.
Stage 1: settle the pain
We use high-power laser therapy where appropriate to help reduce pain and support the healing response. We also modify activities and advise on footwear so the sesamoids are not continually irritated.
Stage 2: reduce pressure
The most important part of treatment is reducing the amount of force going through the sesamoids. Depending on your foot mechanics we may use padding, footwear changes or custom orthotics to redistribute pressure away from the painful area.
Stage 3: rebuild strength
Once the pain has settled we introduce targeted exercises to improve foot and lower limb strength and control. This helps your foot cope with walking, running and sport without placing excessive pressure through the sesamoids.
Stage 4: find the cause
Sesamoiditis often develops because the area is repeatedly overloaded. We assess your foot and lower limb biomechanics to identify what is driving that overload and make changes to reduce the risk of it happening again.
Our goal is to settle the pain, reduce pressure and get you back to activity safely.
Recovery & rehab
How long does it take?
Sesamoiditis can take time to settle because the sesamoids are exposed to pressure every time you walk.
- Mild cases: several weeks
- Moderate cases: several weeks to a few months
- Long-standing cases: three months or more
The exact recovery time depends on how irritated the area is and how well the pressure can be reduced.
Why rehab matters
Resting until the pain disappears and then immediately returning to normal activity can cause the problem to come back. The foot needs time to rebuild its strength and gradually tolerate load again.
How we help you stay pain-free:
- High-power laser therapy where appropriate
- Activity modification
- Footwear advice
- Pressure-relieving padding
- Custom orthotics if they are needed
- Progressive foot and lower limb strengthening
- Biomechanical assessment
- A gradual return to running and sport
If sesamoiditis is treated properly most people can return to their normal activities. The key is reducing pressure early and gradually rebuilding the foot’s ability to handle load.
Summary
Our goal is simple: to settle your sesamoid pain and get you back to walking, running and sport.
At Aligna Podiatry we don’t just treat the painful area underneath your big toe. We find out why the sesamoids became overloaded and address the underlying cause so the problem is less likely to keep returning.
Your treatment plan may combine high-power laser therapy, pressure relief, footwear changes, targeted strengthening and custom orthotics where they are needed.
Whether your sesamoiditis has just started or you have been dealing with ongoing pain underneath your big toe, we’re here to reduce the pressure, support healing and help you move comfortably again.
Book your appointment in Balwyn North
Struggling with chronic heel pain, tendon pain or another stubborn injury?
Our experienced team at Aligna Podiatry in Balwyn North takes a holistic, whole-body approach to treating the foot, ankle and knee. We combine high-power laser therapy, shockwave with hands-on care, cupping and rehab to reduce pain and restore alignment and movement. Contact our Balwyn North clinic today to book an assessment and find out which treatment is right for you.