Sesamoiditis/Sesamoid Fractures

[luxdunst]

I was recently diagnosed with a medial sesamoid fracture as well as 2nd metatarsal fracture, partial rupture of my plantar plate and a neuroma I had been seeing a podiatrist for 6 mos or so and was being treated with cortisone injections for sesamoiditis. Now i hear that cortisone for sesamoiditis wasn't the greatest idea, esp since my Dr gave me 4 within a period of 5 mos. Also, she gave me the wrong orthotics which I wore on and off for three weeks until I finally went to see her to complain that they felt funny and she realized that they were not mine. Well, over the course of this 6 mos period the pain came and went. I was just starting my career as a nurse so I was on my feet almost 14hrs a day w/o any true break. I also excercised 2-3 times a week, sometimes doing squats and spin classes but never anything too serious, i'm noo athlete. Anyways, when the pain wasn't going away after a night of rest or came after 30 mins on my feet I went back to my Podiatrist and asked for something else, something more to help b/c I knew there must be more to the story than plain old sesamoiditis which btw..is very painful and debilitating in and of itself. I had a special MRI done at the Hospital for Special Surgery only to find out that I have a lot going on for a healthy, young (i'm 23), nurse. I am currently on disability. I have sought out a second opinion-I saw a top sports ortho surgeon a week ago and am gunna get one more opinion just to make sure everything adds up. I wouldn't be soo crazy but I am a nurse and just started my career and was hoping to have a long and prosperous one but this condition has led me to believe that maybe hospital/bedside nursing is no longer in my future. Very very sad thought. Anyways, I'm non-weightbearing for 4 weeks, I wore a cam walker for two weeks prior to this. Then I will have another MRI done and see where to do. The podiatrist says to absolutely stay away from surgery, the sports ortho surgeon thinks it may help, and I see another orthopedic surgeon from the hospital I work at tomorrow. I guess I just needed to tell my story. I've decided that if I need the surgery I will have it. I'm very upset with my Podiatrist for giving me too many injection, the wrong orthopedics, and not stressing to me how I should be severly limiting my activity even when I just had sesamoiditis. I'm glad I found this forum and if anyone has any comments I will definately welcome them. Thanks for listening!

[LINZAPOO]

So...how bad is the pain on a scale of 1-10? I broke my sesemoid and wore the "boot" but never had injections or anything else. My podiatrist and everyone I've talked to says stay away from surgery as well because it can increase the level of pain felt. What's your status as far as recovery? Is the injury healed but you still feel pain? (That's where I am at with mine...just pain once in awhile..usually at least once a day or more but the level of pain is low enough to endure and I am very athletic) I miiiight have a solution for you but it depends on where you're at with the actual injury. If you are just feeling subsequent pain then I can help but if it's still fractured I don't think my solution will apply. Let me know! Just email me at [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed].

[luxdunst]

I'm going to e-mail you now but the fracture is still there :(

[jisaac]

Hi. It may be too soon, but I hope your treatment will soon get better. I have suffered also for MANY months (longer). I had the MRI & a bone scan. I am now scheduled for another bone scan to chart if any progress was made after wearing a boot for 6 weeks & a cast for the past 6 weeks after that. I don't feel healed & after reading these letters from others like myself, I don't have much hope. My Podiatrist wanted to give me another cortisone shot & I rejected it since it just made my foot more sore & sensitive the first time. He has warned me of surgery - says it doesn't always cure & may lead to other issues (bunions). I'm at a loss ..... have you heard anything encouraging lately?

[jenniferUSAFvet]

If at all possible DO NOT get your joint fused! I was diagnosed with chronic sesmoiditis in 1991; went through all of the standard treatments for years (cortisone shots, insoles for my shoes, casts etc.) Finally I had the sesmoides removed in my left foot. (I have the condition in both feet) In 5 years I have had 5 surgeries. What the Doctors didn't tell me is that by removing the sesmoids, there is nothing to cushion the joint itself, and I started getting fractures followed by arthritis in my joint. I had the joint fused because I was told that I was too young (33) for joint replacement (they only last 10-15 yrs). Because of this I have had 3 more surgeries to fix the first joint fusion. If the joint doesn't fuse the right way, they have to go in, rebreak and refuse it again. Then a year ago I had to have a screw put straight through the tip of my toe fusing the whole toe together, due to the amount of pain and problems that arose from the first 2 joint fusions of the big joint. I am worse off now, than if I had just sucked up the pain and left it alone, remember the bones in my right foot are broken as well and I have been walking on them for 17 yrs. The pain in my left foot is also far worse then my right!
As far as my lifestyle goes, I have none. I can't walk or stand for long periods of time, I can't run at all. No more taking my boys to the park and playing ball with them, can't find any shoes that don't kill my foot... you get the idea.
If you are able to, suck up the pain you have now and don't consider getting the fusion done.

[jisaac]

Hi Linzapoo. What is your solution??? I am SO confused about what to do next. My sesamoid bone is not healing .... I have pain & stiffness if I am on my feet long or have to stand for a period. I use to be athletic, but now restrain & have to limit activity....what has worked for you?

Joanne (jisaac)