The Workman's
Sesamoiditis is an overuse injury involving chronic inflammation of the sesamoid bones and the tendons involve with those bones. Sesamoiditis is caused by increased pressure to the sesamoids. Often, sesamoiditis is associated with a dull, longstanding pain beneath the big toe joint. The pain comes and goes, usually occurring with certain shoes or certain activities.
Sesamoiditis treatments:
- Stop the activity causing the pain. haha, ok
- Take aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve the pain. check
- Rest and ice the sole of your feet. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, but use an ice pack or wrap the ice in a towel. done
- Wear soft-soled, low-heeled shoes. Stiff-soled shoes like clogs may also be comfortable. yep
- Use a felt cushioning pad to relieve stress. done that... yawn
- Return to activity gradually, and continue to wear a cushioning pad of dense foam rubber under the sesamoids to support them. Avoid activities that put your weight on the balls of the feet. umm... ok
- Tape the great toe so that it remains bent slightly downward (plantar flexion). this I have not tried yet
- Your doctor may recommend an injection of a steroid medication to reduce swelling. this is the newest thing... it looks like I'll be heading in for "injection therapy" (haha isn't that silly) which basically means I'll be getting a shot of Cortisone to ease the pain.
- If symptoms persist, you may need to wear a removable short leg fracture brace for 4 to 6 weeks. that'll be attractive...
