Sesamoid Fracture

If you have mysterious pain in the ball of your foot, especially under the big toe, a possible cause is a sesamoid fracture. This injury affects two small but essential bones in the foot, and it’s important to seek treatment from an experienced provider, such as board-certified podiatrist Gaston Liu, DPM. At Gaston Mike Liu LLC in Commack, New York, you can find relief with personalized solutions and prompt care. Schedule an evaluation for a sesamoid fracture by calling the office or booking one online today.

What is a sesamoid fracture?

Your sesamoid bones are the two small, pea-shaped bones beneath the big toe joint in the ball of the foot. They help the big toe move and act as pulleys, allowing tendons to glide smoothly and absorb pressure during activities like walking, running, and jumping.

A sesamoid fracture occurs when one of these small bones cracks or breaks, either due to a direct impact (like landing hard on the ball of the foot) or as a stress fracture caused by repetitive pressure.

High-heel wearers, athletes, dancers, runners, and people who frequently participate in high-impact activities are more likely to develop this type of injury.

What are the symptoms of a sesamoid fracture?

The most common symptom is pain beneath the big toe, particularly in the ball of the foot. Other symptoms may include:

• Pain when putting weight on the front of the foot
• A bruised or swollen ball of the foot
• Trouble bending or straightening the big toe
• Tenderness if you press on the area under the big toe
• Pain that gets worse when you walk, run, or push off the foot

In stress fractures, symptoms often begin as mild discomfort during activity and become more persistent if the bone does not have time to heal.

How are sesamoid fractures treated?

Dr. Liu can treat most sesamoid fractures without surgery, especially when he diagnoses them early. Common treatment options include:

• Reduce pressure on the foot by resting and modifying your activities
• Immobilization, often with a stiff-soled shoe, walking boot, or brace
• Padding or offloading devices to relieve pressure from the ball of the foot
• Custom orthotics to better distribute weight across the foot
• Anti-inflammatory medications to ease pain and swelling

In rare cases where the bone fragments don’t heal properly or your pain persists despite conservative treatment, Dr. Liu can discuss surgical options.

How long does a sesamoid fracture take to heal?

You’ll typically begin to feel improvement within 6-8 weeks with proper treatment and rest. Because these bones take a lot of pressure during walking, healing can sometimes take longer than other small bone injuries.

Follow Dr. Liu’s treatment plan for proper recovery, as returning to high-impact activities too soon can delay healing or worsen the injury. Schedule a sesamoid fracture evaluation at Gaston Mike Liu LLC by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.