A tailor’s bunion—or bunionette, as healthcare providers call it—is a bump that develops on the outside of your pinkie toe joint (the fifth metatarsophalangeal or MTP) where it meets the base of your foot. Repeated rubbing from narrow shoes or high heels can cause it to enlarge over time.
Non-invasive treatments may help relieve symptoms and slow progression. But when your pain becomes too much to bear, surgery may be in order.
Symptoms
A tailor’s bunion (also called a bunionette) is a bump that forms on the outside of your foot at the base of your fifth metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) — the joint where your pinkie toe connects to your foot. This is the opposite side of the foot from where regular bunions form on the big toe. Symptoms include redness, swelling and pain. The bump develops when the fifth metatarsal bone pushes against your shoe, causing constant rubbing and pressure. Over time, this irritates the fluid-filled sack (bursa) that cushions the area, leading to inflammation and tenderness.
The bump may become large enough to encroach on the skin at the base of your pinkie toe, causing it to become red and swollen. In severe cases, the MTP joint may swell and become stiff. The swollen area may be painful to touch and the skin surrounding it might thicken.
The best way to prevent a tailor’s bunion is to wear shoes that fit you well. If you have trouble finding comfortable shoes, ask your provider to recommend a shoe store with trained shoe fitters. They can help you find shoes that are flexible, have extra room in the toe box, and are easy to stretch. You can also avoid shoes that squeeze your toes together, like pointed flats or high heels.
Diagnosis
A bunion is a prominence of the fifth metatarsal bone at the base of the little toe. A Tailor’s bunion, also called a bunionette, is a similar condition but occurs on the outside of the foot. These conditions often develop as a result of the little toe crowding out or turning inward at the joint and are more common in people with tight-fitting shoes.
The symptoms of a Tailor’s bunion may begin with a bony bump or lump, which may or may not be painful. As the condition progresses, it can become more prominent and painful. It can also cause the skin around it to become red and swollen due to repeated rubbing from footwear. The toe may even start to bend or twist inward, making it harder for the person to walk normally and increasing their discomfort.
Healthcare providers can diagnose a Tailor’s bunion by doing a physical exam. They will examine the little toe, foot and shoe wear and ask about the symptoms. They might also order x-rays to see the extent of the bony growth and how it is affecting the little toe’s natural alignment. Non-surgical treatments for a Tailor’s bunion are usually tried first. These include changing the type of shoes worn (avoiding narrow, pointed styles with a small toe box) and using pads and cushions to reduce friction against the toe. Stretching the feet and calves is important as well to prevent tight calf muscles that put extra pressure on the little toe and can cause the condition to worsen.
Treatment
The good news is that, in many cases, non-invasive treatments will ease your symptoms. These options include shoe modifications, padding, and icing your bunions. Footcare providers can also recommend custom or over-the-counter orthotic inserts that can take pressure off the bunion and reduce friction against your shoes.
You might be able to relieve your bunion pain with the help of over-the-counter medications that can decrease swelling and inflammation, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If your pain persists, despite conservative treatment, talk with your healthcare provider about surgery.
Tailor’s bunions, also known as bunionettes, form at the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint — the place where your pinkie toe joins your foot. They’re smaller than regular bunions, which form at the base of your big toe. They got their name because tailors used to sit cross-legged at work, which caused the outside edges of their feet and toes to be pressed into the ground and their chairs.
If left untreated, a Tailor’s bunionette can grow bigger and cause more pain. It might even become inflamed, causing the skin to thicken or blister. This is because of repeated rubbing from your footwear against the bump, which can lead to irritation and calluses. Without bunion treatment, a callus might develop under your bunion, which can be painful to walk on. If you can’t find a solution with non-invasive treatments, our team at Ankle & Foot Centers of America can recommend a surgical procedure that will correct your bunionette.
Prevention
A tailor’s bunion is a bony bump that forms where your little toe meets the base of your foot. Unlike regular bunions that form at the big toe, this type of bunion develops below your pinky toe (also known as your little toe) and gets its name from clothing tailors who sat cross-legged all day while working. This caused their feet to shift and the big toe to rub against the outside edge of their shoes, leading to a bony bump developing on the lateral base of your little toe.
Like other types of bunions, tailor’s bunions can be painful and may become larger if left untreated. Over time, they can also increase your risk of getting bursitis or a hammertoe and cause changes in the alignment and structure of your forefoot.
The best way to prevent tailor’s bunions is to wear properly fitted shoes with a wide toe box to reduce pressure on the fifth metatarsal bone. Avoid wearing shoes that are too narrow, pointed or that cause rubbing along the sides of your feet, and always wear socks made from a soft material that doesn’t irritate your skin. Stretching your calves often can help relax tight calf muscles that put extra stress on the front of your feet.
Orthotics can also be used to offload pressure from your foot and ankle and reduce pain, redness and swelling. Bunion correction surgery may be necessary if other treatments don’t relieve your symptoms or the bunion becomes enlarged and causes you to have problems walking normally.