My doctor diagnosed the pain under my big toe as sesamoiditis. She said it has something with two small bones under the joint. What is sesamoiditis? Will I need surgery?

There are two pea-sized bones in the soft tissues under the main joint of the big toe. These tiny bones are called the sesamoids. The condition called sesamoiditis develops when the soft tissues around these bones become inflamed.

Doctors usually don’t recommend surgery for sesamoiditis, at least not right away. They usually recommend anti-inflammatory mediations, rest, and ice. Special shoes or padding inside your regular shoe can keep the big toe from bending as you walk. This gives your painful toe a chance to heal. Your doctor may suggest a steroid injection if your pain continues. Doctors usually recommend surgery only if the problem is severe or doesn’t get better with other kinds of treatment.