Foot Health Sesamoiditis and Big Toe Pain By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 06, 2021 Medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD Medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD LinkedIn Twitter Oluseun Olufade, MD, is a board-certified orthopedist. He teaches as an Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Most of us have two bones, called sesamoid bones, under the joint at the base of the big toes. In rare instances, people may be missing one or both of these bones. These sesamoid bones are actually enveloped within the tendons under the big toe. When these bones become inflamed, the condition is called sesamoiditis. bgwalker / Getty Images Sesamoiditis can be caused by acute injury or chronic overuse. Sesamoid pain can also be caused by stress fractures of the sesamoid, or a condition called osteonecrosis. Less common causes of sesamoiditis include infection or systemic disorders such as autoimmune diseases. People with chronic sesamoid pain should be evaluated for these conditions. Overuse Injuries Symptoms Sesamoid problems are usually detectable by a careful history and examination. The most common symptoms include: Pain with weight-bearingPain with pressure applied directly to the sesamoid bonesPain when the great toe is forcefully pulled upwards (dorsiflexion of the great toe) Other conditions that can cause similar symptoms include hallux rigidus and gout. Diagnosis can be confirmed with imaging tests. X-rays can be helpful, especially if a fracture of the sesamoid bone is suspected. However, sometimes the small sesamoid bones are difficult to adequately visualize on an X-ray test, and therefore other tests may also be considered. The most commonly used test is an MRI study, but bone scans can also be effective to identify sesamoid problems. Treatment The treatment of sesamoiditis begins with altering footwear. Increasing the amount of cushioning within your shoes can help relieve pressure on the affected sesamoid. Specific inserts or custom orthotics can also be used to try to shift forces away from the inflamed bone. Other treatments include resting, avoiding specific activities that irritate the bone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and ice application. Recovery from a sesamoid injury can take months and is often a frustrating experience. Athletes may require a prolonged period of restricted weight-bearing or mobility, and often recovery to full sports activities can take 3 to 6 months. In the unusual circumstance that footwear modifications and rest are insufficient to relieve the discomfort, there are surgical treatment options. However, these surgical procedures should be approached cautiously, as deformities of the big toe can often result if one or both of the sesamoid bones are removed. 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sims AL, Kurup HV. Painful sesamoid of the great toe. World J Orthop. 2014;5(2):146-50. doi:10.5312/wjo.v5.i2.146 Nwawka OK, Hayashi D, Diaz LE, et al. Sesamoids and accessory ossicles of the foot: anatomical variability and related pathology. Insights Imaging. 2013;4(5):581-93. doi:10.1007%2Fs13244-013-0277-1 Centers for Disease Control. Gout. Additional Reading Richardson EG. "Hallucal sesamoid pain: causes and surgical treatment" J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., Jul 1999; 7: 270 - 278. By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD, is board-certified in orthopedic surgery. He served as assistant team physician to Chivas USA (Major League Soccer) and the United States men's and women's national soccer teams. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit