Tailor’s Bunion

What is it?

Tailor’s bunion, sometimes referred to as a bunionette, is a prominence of the fifth metatarsal bone at the base of the fifth toe.  Much like a bunion, the bump may be the only visible change, but the bones in the forefoot are misaligned. Tailor’s bunions are not as common as bunions, but they are similar in symptoms and causes

Causes

The type of foot that makes a person prone to developing a tailor’s bunion is hereditary.  Changes occur in the foot’s bone structure, leading to the deformity. The fifth metatarsal bone starts to protrude outward, while the fifth toe moves inward. Poorly fitting shoes can contribute to making the deformity worse.

Treatments

Much like for bunions, conservative treatment includes shoe modifications, splinting and padding, oral medications, injection therapy and orthotic therapy. If conservative measures fail to relieve symptoms, surgery might be necessary. Usually, surgery is done on an outpatient basis and the patient can walk immediately without use of crutches. The procedure your doctor selects will depend on your particular case, taking into consideration the extent of the deformity, age, activity level, and other factors.

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