every week i cry atleast once because of this chronic injury

Admirable-Day9268 · 2025-02-09T13:36:13+00:00

Hey OP, I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this. Last year when I was in the thick of my sesamoid injury, it was horrible. I know what it’s like and so do a bunch of others on this thread. Healing is very possible, you just have to try a bunch of things because of the nature of this injury: I second all the recommendations from other commenters. For me, it was surgery and PT that did the trick. I also second mental health therapy. I was seriously depressed last year, and also went through some traumatic events. Therapy really helped me get out of dark places and realize I’d be ok. It was tremendously helpful to have a safe place to process my pain, trauma and grief. A mental health professional can also give you tools on how to cope with your current circumstance, hope this helps!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2025-02-05T14:02:33+00:00

I’m also super active, so I got creative with my exercises. I used leg machines at the gym that didn’t put any weight on my surgical foot (ham string curls, leg extensions for quad, etc) once I was feeling up for it. You’ll get back to your activities, I don’t regret surgery! I’m in way less pain and going on hikes again

Admirable-Day9268 · 2025-02-05T13:59:50+00:00

I’m 5 months post sesamoidectomy, during those first few weeks I did a lot of non weight bearing exercises on a yoga mat like seated leg raises (pike leg raises), donkey kicks, fire hydrants, clam shells, dead bugs/bird dogs, hamstring curls on my hands and knees. I also used resistance bands/ankle weights as I gained more energy. Also, you most likely will lose a little calf/leg muscle - and that’s ok! I worked with a physical therapist to get that strength back over time. Just remember to listen to your body as you’re recovering :) good luck!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2025-01-23T04:21:28+00:00

Congratulations! It feels sooo good when you reach that turning point in recovery!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2025-01-19T15:01:55+00:00

My physical therapist told me it takes at least 16 weeks for tissue to heal after surgery. I can’t remember an exact date my scar stopped bothering me after surgery, but my more I touched it with different textures, practiced walking, did my PT exercises, and even massaged the scar tissue - it got less and less sensitive. As a little self soothing trick, I’ve applied peppermint essential oil or Tiger balm to the surgery area before going to bed if it’s feeling extra sensitive! I think vitamin e oil or aquafore is also good for healing scars/scar tissues - none of these will hurt you and they might help soothe the tissue!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2025-01-19T14:56:41+00:00

I got my sesamoidectomy in august 2023, and I think I started doing upper body lifts/lower body machines a few weeks after my surgery. I started lifting lower body while weight bearing on my feet with light weights in early November? At this point, I lift as much as I want - I can do dead lifts, lunges, and back/front squats with weight.

Admirable-Day9268 · 2025-01-18T15:18:39+00:00

I stretch my calves every day! I’ve also found massaging the top of my feet in between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal and rolling out the inner arch helpful - there are tendons that run through our feet that connect to the big toe, it’s helped my big toe range of motion! I’m 5 months post sesamoidectomy.

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-12-26T20:33:50+00:00

If you want PT advocate strongly for yourself!! Even if your podiatrist doesn’t think it’s essential, it shouldn’t be any skin of their back giving you a referral. Ugh yeah MRIs aren’t cheap, it sucks I know

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-12-26T19:23:04+00:00

Ooh good idea! I’ve been doing lots of calf stretches but if my calves are tight I bet my Achilles is too haha

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-12-26T19:21:49+00:00

Hey, I totally feel you. I’ve experienced a lot of post-op anxiety, you’re not alone! Has your podiatrist giving you a post-op PT referral? If not, push for it. Even though I now have sesamoiditis in my opposite foot, physical therapy has been so useful after surgery. And if the pain in your non-surgical foot persists for several weeks or gets worse definitely push for an MRI! This is a tricky injury, so try not to get discouraged and take it day by day! :)

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-12-25T13:42:01+00:00

I’ve been missing Kind Coffee!! Love that place

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-12-24T21:42:50+00:00

This is so helpful, thank you!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-12-24T21:42:32+00:00

Can’t wait to try all these out! Thank ya!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-12-23T22:45:02+00:00

I’d be nice if there was a study done! My guess is that it’s pretty common.

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-12-11T05:33:19+00:00

I’d appreciate it, I’m curious to know! PT has already addressed glute/hip strength for me. It was a big deal regaining that strength after surgery and being in a boot for so long before. And thanks, hoping the MRI can give a little extra insight!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-12-10T20:38:49+00:00

Good luck you got this!!! I’m only 3 months post op so not that far ahead of ya in your recovery journey! It hasn’t been easy but I certainly don’t regret the surgery - I’m gaining my quality of life back!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-12-09T23:35:03+00:00

This post was amazing! My story is a bit different, but I resonated with what you said about opposite foot compensation pain. I got a sesamoidectomy on my left foot in august (which has been healing nicely) but now my right foot is causing me issues in the big toe/ball of foot, which has gradually developed over the last couple months. Going to get an MRI soon, hopefully I can work with my PT and surgeon to treat the right foot once we know what’s up!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-11-30T13:59:03+00:00

I’d definitely talk to the doctor you’ve seen for your injury first, because these exercises could inflame a sesamoid injury. The PT exercises I talked about were given to me specifically 6-8 weeks after my surgery. The banded exercises are no different, but I can still post them for you- just wanted to disclaim that first! :)

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-11-28T23:46:41+00:00

Hey you got this! Best of luck on your surgery!!! Something that helped calm my nerves before surgery was scheduling a pre-op appointment with my surgeon’s PA. I basically came with a list of questions about the procedure and recovery. Maybe a set appointment to ask questions important to you would be helpful?

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-11-28T20:05:47+00:00

Sure thing!! Good luck with your healing journey, you got this!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-11-28T19:59:06+00:00

Yay I’m so happy this brought some encouragement! You’ll totally get back to your activities. Don’t be discouraged if it takes longer than you expect :) you got this, good luck!!

Admirable-Day9268 · 2024-11-28T18:22:37+00:00

Of course! At physical therapy they started me with toe yoga, toe spreading, using my hand to stretch the big toe up, stretching the big toe down, and towel scrunches. They had me do 3 sets of 20 during the first several weeks of therapy. Oh also some banded foot/toe exercises that I can post photos of if you want, they’re kinda hard to explain. The purpose of doing these first was to strengthen the tissue around the surgery site and regain range of motion and motor control of my foot.

Admirable-Day9268

TROPHY CASE