Sesamoid Injuries Mean Big Toe Pain

Basketball season is in full swing, and with that comes more opportunities for injuring your feet. Sprains and Achilles problems are common in basketball players. Sesamoid injuries, trauma to the big toe, are more rare, but they do happen occasionally. Whether the pain is from inflammation or from a fracture, you will have a hard time running and jumping.

The sesamoid bones are tiny bones that are located inside tendons behind your big toe. They allow for movement of the feet. If you are suffering from sesamoiditis you may feel tenderness in the foot, specifically in the balls of your feet or in your big toe. There might also be redness and swelling associated with the pain. An X-ray can usually diagnose a broken bone, but because these bones are so small, it might require further testing.

Treating a broken sesamoid bone is fairly simple. It requires resting the foot and possibly wearing a cast to restrict movement. Once you are completely healed, it is advisable to undergo physical therapy, and then to wear an orthotic to prevent future fractures. Even more important than treatment is prevention. When you wear the proper shoes for the activity you are doing, you are less likely to injure yourself. Support and cushioning are in place to ward off trauma.

If you suspect sesamoid injuries are giving you discomfort, schedule a consultation by calling Dr. Marco Vargas and Dr. Joyce Lee today at 888-784-5335 or schedule an appointment online. It’s up to you to prevent foot injuries, but it’s up to us to fix them. At Foot and Ankle Associates in Sugar Land, TX we take that job very seriously, because we want your feet strong and healthy.

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