I have had sesamoiditis for ever since I started running in high school 7 years ago. I have tried limiting my activity for extended periods of time like six months and special shoes as well. Nothing has worked, however, and the pain returns from almost any activity whether it be running, tennis, walking, or wearing heals. I know part of it has to do with my extremely high arches and I do have bony feet as well. Should I consider cortisone shots, surgery to remove them, or just deal with it for the rest of my life? I love to run, but even this is becoming to painful. What about acupuncture?

Surgery is always the last resort. I would suggest you consider constome orthotics. The doctor would take a cast/mold of your foot and design an orthotic (shoe insert) that would fit into your athletic shoe and take pressure off the sesamoid bones. Make sure the athletic shoe can accommodate the orthotic and is the right length and width for your foot. Your foot will change as you get older, so you should have your foot measured every time you buy a new athletic shoe.

Sincerely,
Suzanne Belyea, DPM, C.Ped.

Hi,

I treated several cases of sesamoiditis with Zhu's scalp-acupucnture and also combined with massage. It works. You have to call your acupuncturists and make sure they have experience with this problem.

Good luck,

Jason Jun Song, L.AC

www.NeuroAcu.com

Dear Roxy,
I would recommend an orthotic which has a first metatarsal cut out. Since you have a pretty specific problem a custom orthotic would probably suit you best. I would recommend a conservative approach to your condition before attemting any surgical procedure.

Good-luck and thank-you for contacting foot.com,
SBarlizo, DPM, C Ped
foot.com expert

Dear Roxy
Although your problem may very well be solved by now I suggest that you get an x-ray of your foot to insure that your sesamoids are not fractured in any way. if they are, then a first metatarsal cut out will inflame the area. You see there is a tendon under your foot that runs through the sesamoid bones. A cut out area under there would pull on that tendon. It is always best to see a doctor first if there is long standing pain.

Best,
Spencer Weisbond, C.Ped.

WHAT IF PAIN OCCURS AGAIN AFTER REMOVEING THE SESAMBONE?

I would have know what conservative treatments have been tried. From what I have off this thread.

What I would try : Carbon plate added to custom orthotics to limit the extention off the great toe and transfer push forces away from the toe, Rocker bottom shoe , Extended steel shank. try these and see what affect they have on the pain.

Dear Guest
In response to the question, "what if the pain gets worse following removal of a sesamoid bone?". Well, it is possible that the pain can either be the same or even worse. You may need an orthotic device as well as a rockerbottom shoe. I would recommend that you follow-up with your surgeon for a re-evaluation, in order to determine how to go about resolving these issuses.

Good-luck and thank-you for conatcting foot.com
Sbarlizo, DPM, C Ped
foot.com expert