Sesamoiditis is inflammation of the bones beneath the big toe joint.
Cycling can exacerbate sesamoiditis, especially when using clipless pedals (this is because your forefoot is locked in). This system provides a more efficient stroke for bikers, but if the cleat is in the wrong place or the last (shape) of the cycling shoe is different than the riders foot, then repetitive injury can occur
This was the case with Lisa. She had been happily riding in the same version of a particular cycling shoe for years, and a change in shoe brought about symptoms of sesamoiditis.
Evaluation of her new shoe revealed that the cleat was positioned too medial (toward the midline). Note the difference between her old shoe (on the left), and her new shoe (on the right).
I also discovered that the shape of her new cycling shoe was curve-lasted, whereas the shape of her old cycling shoe was straight-lasted. (And the straight-lasted design was far more compatible with her foot shape.)
This combination of medial cleat placement and change in shoe last from straight to curved contributed to her painful symptoms of sesamoiditis.
If you are a cyclist who has recently experienced injury, it would be beneficial for you to evaluate your cycling shoes and cleat placement. This is especially true if new symptoms arise soon after wearing new cycling shoes, or after increasing your training frequency, duration, or intensity.
Sesamoiditis can be a challenging problem to resolve, so it’s important to seek immediate medical attention at the first sign of injury or symptoms.
The physicians and surgeons at San Francisco’s Financial District Foot & Ankle Center are experts in treating sesamoiditis, and in treating lower extremity cycling injuries in general. If you have cycling pain, give us a call today at (415) 956-2884.
Dr. Jenny Sanders Shoe Blog 