Do you know what Sesamoiditis is? Do you even know what your sesamoid bones are or on what part of the body they are found? Up until November 19th 2014 I didn’t either and I didn’t know you could injure or be in pain from them.
Well that is where they are, two miniature pea-sized like bones that sit underneath the big toe. The injury first began in Pre-Season of 2014. Back to training, the ground a bit harder from the summer sun and I thought at first it must have been that or somehow I may have received a kick to the bottom of my foot from one of my Gateshead FC teammates. Uncomfortable but not unbearable I battled through, it didn’t get any better but at the time no worse.
Saturday 27th September 2014 I was struggling though. Aldershot at home in the Conference Premier, we drew 1-1 but the disappointment of a draw was the least of my worries, that pain from pre-season in my foot was back after 70 minutes of the game. It felt like a bruise, a bruise would go away though eventually wouldn’t it?
Monday morning came and training started. A good warm-up ahead of a good session ahead of a massive game away the following evening at Lincoln City, it is always a game to look forward to at Sincil Bank. First part of warm-up done, foot a bit sore but you can’t not carry on for a bruise on your foot.
“Right lads, quick feet through the ladders and sprint to the cone after the last bit of the ladder.” Them the words of assistant manager Darren Caskey.
Second time through the ladders my left foot went down to the floor. WOW! The pain reverberated from the bottom of my foot through my body. “That is painful.” I said to myself. I knew that wasn’t right, I must have got another kick and have a big bruise under my foot. I couldn’t remember getting one, I couldn’t remember getting one in pre-season but the pain felt similar from then.
I couldn’t carry on training, I had to tell the physio, I had to tell the gaffer, I couldn’t play against Lincoln away the following night cause of what seemed like a bruise under my foot. I felt embarrassed!
What does sesamoiditis feel like, find out here.
JJ O'Donnell 