What are the Sesamoid Bones?

What are the Sesamoid Bones?

The sesamoid bones are tiny bones, about the size of a jelly bean, located in different places in your body. Each of your feet happens to have a set of them. These bones are located in the tendon and are located in areas of the body where a joint and the tendon overlap. Their purpose is to make sure the tendon and the joint do not get too close to each other when the body is mobile. They also allow the tendons to snap back and not flatten out completely. This helps when walking and flexing your toes.

The sesamoid bones are not just limited to your feet. You can also find them in your wrist, knee and hand.  Because your feet bear so much weight and pressure on them every day, they typically have more problems with the sesamoid bones. These tiny bones, which are in your foot, can be found right under the big toe joint.

Due to their placement in the foot, the sesamoid bones are prone to a lot of mobility, pressure, and trauma. Athletes, nurses, and anyone who uses their feet on a constant basis are more likely to have issues with their sesamoid bones. Although people who do lighter sports and less activity can have problems with their sesamoid bones, the probability drops significantly.

Other ways the sesamoid bones can be injured are due to footwear. Those who have high arches, or like to wear footwear that raises the back of the foot and adds more pressure to the forefoot such as heels, are more likely to acquire a sesamoid injury down the road.

Elderly people are also more likely to have problems with their sesamoid bones. Osteoporosis can cause a bone to alter and begin to grow near the sesamoid bones. This causes inflammation and pain that leads to sesamoiditis. Another problem that can occur is when an elderly patient has arthritis in their feet. This can upset the tissue around the sesamoid bones and cause the patient pain and suffering.

If a patient is suffering from pain in their sesamoid bones, they should consider seeing a podiatrist such as Alan J. Discont, DPM or Dr. Krahn of Family Foot & Ankle Care, PC in Chandler, Arizona. They can examine your feet, take images of the bones, and determine whether or not you have an underlying problem with your sesamoid bones. Call 480-732-0033 or make an appointment online today. Trust us, your feet will thank you.