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Sesamoiditis Painful Toe And Foot Condition

Our sesamoid bones are bones that are IN ie embedded in a tendon.

Comparatively, most of the bones in our body are connected to each other at the joints (usually 2 or more bones form a joint). Sesamoid bones, on the other hand, are not connected to any other bones - they are connected to tendons or are embedded in muscles.

In our foot, the sesamoid bones are two small, pea-shaped bones, located at the ball of the foot, just underneath your big toe joint.

Sesamoid bones behave/function

• like pulleys, by providing a smooth surface for the tendons to glide over and
• helps with weight bearing/absorbing the weight placed on the ball of the feet when walking, running or jumping

What causes sesamoiditis?

Like any other bones in our body, the sesamoid can also sustain injuries including:

• bone bruising
• bone cracks
• bone fractures

The tendons that encase the sesamoid bones can also become

• inflammed
• irritated

- which then becomes sesamoiditis, which is a form of tendinitis (similar to tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, shoulder impingement etc)

Generally, sesamoiditis is a painful condition that is caused by increased pressure to our sesamoids and are associated with activities requiring increased pressure on the ball of the foot, such as jogging, running, basketball, squash, football, golf, tennis, and ballet.

Sesamoid bones are commonly injured with/in dancers, particularly in those who fail to perform proper landing, which when done right, will absorb the energy of the landing through partially flexed knees. Without such absorption proper technique, sudden deceleration with high impact of the sesamoid bones will lead to injury especially to the sesamoid bones.

Also, individuals with low arch or high-arched foot or a prominent joint can also have higher risk of sesamoid damage and/or injury.

Of course, wearing ill-fitting shoes or shoes with a higher heel will also increase stress to the sesamoid bone/joint.

Symptoms of sesamoiditis

• Achey, dull pain under the great toe on the ball of the foot
  
• Sometimes there may be some redness and/or swelling underneath the big toe joint
• There may be stiffness in moving the big toe joint
• Difficulty when walking or wearing shoes
• Difficulty in walking generally
  

Treatment: Non-surgical Approach

• Please immediately stop participating in any activities that aggravates the pain
• See a doctor (see the doctors we work with here) and take some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Whenever possible, try to rest the foot and toe. Better still, elevate and apply cool/cold therapy too. Note: never apply ice directly to skin, instead, use an ice pack (we do sell them in our clinic) or wrap the ice in a plastic bag then a towel first.
• For shoes and footwear, try to wear soft, cushy soles and low-heeled shoes. Try to avoid the stiffer-soled shoes.
• You can apply a soft gel pad in the shoe near your sesamoid/big toe area to cushion, unless it's already too tight (then wear a larger size shoe instead)
• Take your time to slowly progress return to active lifestyle and activity, and continue to use the gel or foam pad to support
• You may consider a H&L injection, which is an injection for local and direct treatment.
• You may also consider custom orthotics to help take the pressure off the ball of the foot

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book a physiotherapy appointment today

• Email your preferred physiotherapy appointment slot to contact@phoenixrehabgroup.com or
• WhatsApp / SMS your name, preferred date, time and clinic location to +6588001830 (Novena).
• Clinic locations: see how to get to us here

Phoenix Rehab Singapore Core Services And Specializations

Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and specialist rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.

PHYSIOTHERAPY & PHYSICAL THERAPY General Orthopedic Physio Back and Neck Physio Sports Physio Post-surgery Physio Women's Health Physio Indiba (Radio-Frequency) Physiotherapy Dry Needling Physio

HAND THERAPY &  SPLINTING Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, and requires Hand Therapy to increase the function of their hand following injuries or post-operations and custom made hand splints.

CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility, and breathing. It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) Pain Management TCM Acupuncture TCM Gua Sha TCM Cupping TCM

DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired , tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and shorten downtime. It also helps prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and future ruptures), and increases muscle performance. When done regularly it will keeps your muscles and you healthy and fit and have body/movement-confidence.

PERSONAL TRAINING Having a dedicated personal trainer/personal training helps you get faster and better health, fitness and wellness results. You can expect better fat loss and muscle gain, have reduced risks of injury, establish effective exercise and health habits as well as overcome those annoying "flatline plateus" to breakthrough to your next level of fitness and weight loss.

All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).

See our entire team here by location and specialization.

At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session. 

Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.

do Tell Your Family, Friends And Colleagues About Us =)

We appreciate you as a patient and want you to know that the #1 (and only) way we grow as a clinic is through word of mouth referrals from valued patients like yourself.

We do not rely on advertising - instead, we prefer and appreciate the goodwill and positive reinforcement from patients. When you have the opportunity, please take the time to tell your family, friends and physicians about the positive results and experience you have had in our clinic.

book a physiotherapy appointment today

• Email your preferred physiotherapy appointment slot to contact@phoenixrehabgroup.com or
• SMS your name, preferred date, time and clinic location to +6588001830 (Novena).
• Clinic locations: see how to get to us here