Tailor's Bunion

A tailor's bunion, also called a bunionette, differs from a regular bunion by its location. It is located on the outside of the foot as opposed to a traditional bunion which is located on the inside of the foot. It is due to either an enlargement of the head of the fifth metatarsal, which is the end of the long bone that attaches to the little toe or due to the fifth metatarsal moving outward towards the side of the shoe. Just as with a regular bunion, this can become painful with shoe rubbing causing redness and swelling.
A bunionette can easily be diagnosed by a podiatrist using x-rays to determine the extent and cause of the deformity. There are a variety of non-surgical treatment options that can be used to treat the condition. These include padding, shoes with a wide toe box, anti-inflammatory oral medications, and corticosteroid injections around the joint. In the case where conservative treatment isn't enough to alleviate the pain and discomfort, the podiatrist will select the appropriate surgical procedure to correct the deformity. Visit your local podiatrist if you have questions or concerns regarding your tailor's bunion.