Avascular necrosis of the hallucial sesamoids

Abstract

The authors present a literature review and systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of avascular necrosis of the sesamoids of the flexor hallucis brevis tendon. Renander, in 1924, was one of the earliest authors to call attention to this condition. Since that time, many other authors have written about this entity, some even questioning its existence. Many different treatment regimes have been postulated, encompassing both the conservative and surgical modalities. Most literature advocates attempted conservative treatment followed by surgical excision, only if conservative methods fail.