Sesamoid Injury

Description

Sesamoid injury is an injury of the sesamoid bones or surrounding tissue. Sesamoid bones are bones that are actually within tendons. They exist normally in the foot, hand, and knee; for example, the kneecap (patella) is a sesamoid bone. The sesamoid bones of the foot are more commonly injured than those of the hand. More specifically, the sesamoid on the inner part of the base of the big toe is most likely to be injured, because most of the weight with standing and jumping is transmitted though it. Injury to the sesamoids is uncommon and includes inflammation and swelling (sesamoiditis), fracture, or stress fracture.

Common signs and symptoms

• Pain with weight bearing on the foot, such as with standing, walking, running, jumping, or dancing

• Pain with trying to lift the big toe

• Tenderness and occasional swelling under the base of the big toe

Causes

Sesamoid injury is usually the result of sudden trauma, such as jumping and landing on the ball of the foot, or repeated trauma, such as with jumping or dancing on the balls of the feet. Other causes include interrupted blood supply (avascular necrosis) and infection.

Factors that increase risk

• Sports that require jumping from a great height or repeated jumping

• Sports that require standing on the balls of the feet (basketball, ballet, jogging, long-distance running)

• Shoes that are too small or those with very high heels

• Abnormally large or poorly shaped sesamoid bones

• Bunions

Preventive measures

• Appropriately warm up and stretch before practice and competition.

• Maintain appropriate conditioning that includes ankle and leg flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance training.

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