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Sesamoidectomy is surgery to remove part or all of a sesamoid bone. In the foot, sesamoids are small bones beneath the big toe joint that help bear weight and guide tendon movement. Surgery may be considered for persistent pain or an injury that has not improved with nonsurgical treatment. The surgeon aims to relieve symptoms while preserving foot function.
read more about sesamoidectomy ...A painful sesamoid injury is usually treated without surgery first. Rest, changes in footwear, padding, or a brace may reduce pressure on the bone. Removal may be considered if pain persists or a fracture does not heal adequately. Examination and imaging help determine which sesamoid is affected.
The surgeon makes an incision near the affected sesamoid beneath the big toe joint. Part or all of that bone is removed, depending on the condition. The surrounding soft tissue is repaired before the incision is closed. The surgical approach depends on the location of the bone.
The foot may be swollen and sore after surgery. Dressings and a protective shoe or boot may be used while the incision heals. Instructions for bearing weight and returning to activity depend on the operation. Follow-up checks healing, pain, and big toe movement.
Risks include infection, nerve irritation, scarring, and continued pain. Removing a sesamoid can change how forces act across the big toe joint. In some cases, the big toe may shift out of alignment or feel weaker during push-off. The surgeon considers these risks when deciding whether to remove the bone.
Usually, surgery targets the affected bone or part of it. The amount removed depends on the injury and surgical plan.
No. Clinicians generally try treatments such as rest, padding, footwear changes, or immobilization first.
Yes. Removing the bone may relieve pain, but symptoms can persist or develop elsewhere in the forefoot.
Yes. Changes to the structures supporting the joint can sometimes lead to toe misalignment.
Avoiding Hallux Sesamoidectomy: A Narrative Review. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12608295/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Early Functional Outcomes and Complications of Tibial and/or Peroneal Sesamoidectomy Utilizing a Burr Through a Medial Approach. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39075767/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Return to activity after sesamoidectomy in athletically active individuals. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12801198/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Return to Athletic Activity Following Sesamoidectomy: A Systematic Review of Time Frames and Clinical Outcomes. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42661882/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Sesamoidectomy for Hallux Sesamoid Disorders: A Systematic Review. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30177453/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.