Osteochondritis of the hallux sesamoid bones.

The clinical, radiological, and pathological features of six cases of osteochondritis of the metatarsal sesamoids are presented. This condition seems to affect primarily young females. Bone scans are a useful tool in assessing disease in the hallux sesamoid bones. Stress fracture and subsequent repair are postulated as the etiology of osteochondritis of the hallux sesamoid bones. Many of these cases do not respond to conservative management and the affected sesamoid must be surgically removed.