Sesamoiditis is inflammation of the

sesamoid bone In anatomy, a sesamoid bone () is a bone embedded within a tendon or a muscle. Its name is derived from the Arabic word for ' sesame seed', indicating the small size of most sesamoids. Often, these bones form in response to strain, or can be pres ...

Humans

Sesamoiditis occurs on the bottom of the foot, just behind the

big toe Toes are the digits (fingers) of the foot of a tetrapod. Animal species such as cats that walk on their toes are described as being ''digitigrade''. Humans, and other animals that walk on the soles of their feet, are described as being ''plan ...

. There are normally two sesamoid bones on each foot; sometimes sesamoids can be

bipartite Bipartite may refer to: * 2 (number) * Bipartite (theology), a philosophical term describing the human duality of body and soul * Bipartite graph, in mathematics, a graph in which the vertices are partitioned into two sets and every edge has an en ...

, which means they each comprise two separate pieces. The sesamoids are roughly the size of

jelly bean Jelly beans are small bean shaped sugar candies with soft candy shells and thick gel interiors (see gelatin and jelly). The confection is primarily made of sugar and sold in a wide variety of colors and flavors. History It has been claime ...

s. The sesamoid bones act as a fulcrum for the

flexor A flexor is a muscle that flexes a joint. In anatomy, flexion (from the Latin verb ''flectere'', to bend) is a joint movement that decreases the angle between the bones that converge at the joint. For example, one’s elbow joint flexes when one ...

tendons, the tendons which bend the big toe downward. Symptoms include inflammation and pain. Sometimes a sesamoid bone is fractured. This can be difficult to pick up on

X-ray An X-ray, or, much less commonly, X-radiation, is a penetrating form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. Most X-rays have a wavelength ranging from 10 picometers to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 ...

, so a

bone scan A bone scan or bone scintigraphy is a nuclear medicine imaging technique of the bone. It can help diagnose a number of bone conditions, including cancer of the bone or metastasis, location of bone inflammation and fractures (that may not be ...

MRI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves ...

is a better alternative. Among those who are susceptible to the malady are dancers, catchers and pitchers in baseball, soccer players, and football players.

Horses

In the horse it occurs at the horse's fetlock. The sesamoid bones lie behind the bones of the fetlock, at the back of the joint, and help to keep the tendons and ligaments that run between them correctly functioning. Usually

periostitis Periostitis, also known as periostalgia, is a medical condition caused by inflammation of the periosteum, a layer of connective tissue that surrounds bone. The condition is generally chronic, and is marked by tenderness and swelling of the bone an ...

(new bone growth) occurs along with sesamoiditis, and the

suspensory ligament A suspensory ligament is a ligament that supports a body part, especially an organ. Types include: * Suspensory ligament of axilla, also known as Gerdy's ligament * Cooper's ligaments, also known as the suspensory ligaments of Cooper or Suspensor ...

may also be affected. Sesamoiditis results in inflammation, pain, and eventually bone growth.

Causes

In humans, excessive forces caused by sudden bending upwards of the big toe, high heels, or a stumble can contribute to sesamoiditis. Once the sesamoid bone is injured it can be very difficult to cure, because additional pressure is put on the sesamoid bone during walking. Treatment in humans consists of anti-inflammatory medication,

cortisone Cortisone is a pregnene (21-carbon) steroid hormone. It is a naturally-occurring corticosteroid metabolite that is also used as a pharmaceutical prodrug; it is not synthesized in the adrenal glands. Cortisol is converted by the action of the enz ...

injections, strapping to immobilize the big toe, and

orthotics Orthotics ( el, Ορθός, translit=ortho, lit=to straighten, to align) is a medical specialty that focuses on the design and application of orthoses, or braces. An is "an externally applied device used to influence the structural and functio ...

with special accommodations to keep pressure off the affected bone. In horses, sesamoiditis is generally caused by excess stress on the fetlock joint. Conformation that promotes sesamoiditis include long pasterns, or horses with long toes and low heels.

Notable cases

Josh Zeid Joshua Alexander Zeid ( ; born March 24, 1987) is an American-Israeli former professional baseball pitcher. He plays for Team Israel. He formerly played for the Houston Astros of MLB. Zeid played for the gold-medal-winning Team USA Youth Natio ...

, major league baseball pitcher * Melvin Upton, major league baseball player * JJ O'Donnell, football player for Gateshead FC

References

External links

{{Osteochondropathy Equine injury and lameness Disorders of fascia Inflammations Overuse injuries Pain