Your Sesamoid Bone Could Be the Hidden Cause of Your Foot Pain—Here’s What You Need to Know

Tue, 05 May 2026 14:20:32 +0000

# Your Sesamoid Bone Could Be the Hidden Cause of Your Foot Pain—Here’s What You Need to Know If you’ve been dealing with persistent pain under the ball of your foot, you may be unaware—but your sesamoid bones could be the culprit. These small, pea-shaped bones embedded within the tendons of your big toe play a vital role in foot mechanics, yet many people don’t realize they exist… or how their dysfunction can lead to discomfort. ### What Are Sesamoid Bones and Where Are They Located? Although they’re called “sesamoid,” these bones are not related to sesame seeds. Instead, they are tiny, sesame-like structures found in certain joints—specifically at the base of the big toe, embedded inside the tendons that connect the toe muscles to the foot bones. There are two sesamoid bones in each foot, one on each side of the big toe joint.