Warning Signs Of Sesamoiditis

People can develop all sorts of issues with their feet, including uncomfortable conditions that don't have the same level of name recognition as plantar fasciitis or ingrown toenails. If you have any foot problems, don't be shy about them. Instead, look for a podiatry clinic in your area and make an appointment. One foot condition that many people suffer from is called sesamoiditis. While you might not know it by name, your podiatrist certainly does — and they can help you deal with it in several ways. This condition, which involves inflammation of the tendon around your foot's two sesamoid bones, often has these warning signs.

Foot Pain

Like many foot conditions that a podiatrist can treat, pain is a warning sign of sesamoiditis. One way to determine if you're likely dealing with sesamoiditis or may have another foot ailment is to consider the specific location of the pain. With sesamoiditis, the pain occurs under the ball of your foot, which is directly behind the big toe. This is where the two sesamoid bones are located. You'll notice that the discomfort is more pronounced when you're standing or walking than when you're sitting, and high-tempo activities such as dancing and running can particularly be painful.

Awkward Gait

People who have sesamoiditis often experience enough foot pain that their gate becomes awkward. It's possible to alter your gait without really being aware that you've made this change. Typically, you'll try to either put more pressure on the opposite side of your foot, or you may attempt to walk without putting the ball of your foot down all the way. It might become apparent to you that you're walking with a different gait, perhaps because a loved one has pointed it out. A change in your gait can often relate to sesamoiditis.

Lack Of Toe Mobility

If you suspect that you may have sesamoiditis, sit so that you can easily reach your big toe. Grip it gently and attempt to move it lightly in its typical range of motion. The inflammation that occurs when you have sesamoiditis often affects the mobility of the toe. You may find that you aren't able to move it as much as you thought you could, for example. In most cases, this movement will cause discomfort, so you shouldn't attempt to move the toe excessively. If you believe that your symptoms could suggest that you have sesamoiditis, reach out to a local podiatrist.