A Tailor’s Bunion is also called a bunionette.
It is the enlargement of the fifth metatarsal bone (the metatarsals are the five long bones of the foot) at the base of the little toe. Often tailor’s bunions are caused by inherited faulty mechanical foot structure. The fifth metatarsal bone begins to protrude outward and the little toe moves inward which creates the bump on the outside of the foot. This shift creates a bump on the outside of the foot that becomes irritated whenever a shoe presses against it. Shoes that are too narrow in the toe, cause redness, swelling and pain due to the constant rubbing and pressure. Wearing tight shoes can progressively worsen the deformity.
The deformity was given the name “Tailors Bunion” because hundreds of years ago tailor sat cross-legged all day with the outside edge of their feet rubbing on the ground. This constant rubbing led to a painful bump at the base of the little toe.
Treatments
There are early treatments which may ease the pain of a Tailor’s Bunion, but they will not reverse the deformity itself.
- Change your shoewear, wear shoes that have a wide toe box and avoid pointed toes and high heels
- Place pads over the area of the bunionette
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen
- Injection therapy to treat the inflamed tissue around the joint
When is Surgery Needed
Nonsurgical treatment has not relieved pain
When the pain interferes with your daily life, it is time to discuss your surgical options with Dr. Hausen. He will take into consideration the extent of your deformity based on the x-ray findings, your activity level and other factors, and determine which procedure or combination of procedures will be appropriate for your individual needs.