A tailor's bunion can be a painful foot problem

A tailor's bunion can be a painful foot problem - By: Toby White


The tailor’s bunion or bunionette is smaller than a big toe bunion but no less painful. It is located on the outside of the foot on the fifth metatarsal joint at the base of the little toe. The metatarsal bone becomes displaced causing a bony lump on the outside of the foot, and can be the source of considerable pain.

The condition is similar to that of a big toe bunion, and the process of formation is the same. Due to the smaller bones, the condition is often less severe on the small toe, but can be the source of considerable inflammation and the little toe can become deformed, pointing inwards to the rest of the toes.

A tailors bunion condition becomes worse when wearing tight fitting shoes which place pressure on the side of the feet. Shoes which cramp the toes move them out of their natural position causing stresses to be placed on the joints. When this is coupled with an elevated heel, the body weight is shifted onto the delicate joints of the toes, which are not designed to take the weight.

Over time, the pressures can cause a displacement of the joint and the metatarsal bone, which can lead to the formation of a tailor’s bunion. The tailor’s bunion gets its name due to its high prevalence in the clothing industry where tailors sat cross-legged for hours, and the excess pressure placed on the joints of the toes saw bunions form on the outside of both feet, hence the name tailor’s bunions. They are also referred to as a bunionette and can be the source of considerable toe pain

Whilst some bone conditions such as osteoarthritis and congenital bone defects can be to blame, it is inappropriate footwear which is the major cause, and women are by far the greatest sufferers of the condition due to wearing high heeled shoes.

As the bunion develops, the head of the fifth metatarsal bone displaces outwards, causing a bony lump on the side of the foot. This can make choosing footwear difficult, due to the pressure placed on the joint and the associated pain, or just the fact that shoes no longer fit. Specialist bunion shoes then need to be worn, so that there is no further deterioration of the condition. Any shoe which has a flexible upper and a wide toe box will give some relief.

Tailors bunion pain can be eased by soaking the feet in hot water or resting the feet, however since tailor’s bunions are often inflamed, anti-inflammatory drugs help to relieve pain. In order to help the toes get back into a normal position, a bunion night splint is one of the best treatment programs. They serve to keep the toes in the correct position throughout the night, to help keep the toe straight and prevent further deterioration, whilst getting the toe back to its normal position. Specific tailors bunion splints are required since big toe bunion splints correct problems on this inside of the foot.

In severe cases, where the deformity has been allowed to progress, or where there is chronic pain, tailors bunion surgery is required. This surgically corrects the problem and realigns the little toe. Since bunion formation involves the growth of excess bone in many cases, it is sometimes necessary to remove excess bone and to repair the joint. AS such the surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and can leave patients with associated pain following surgery.

Recovery time is approximately 2 weeks, with sometime on crutches to prevent damage to the bones and joint whilst they heal. It is generally recommended for only the most severe cases due to the risk from general anaesthetic. In the majority of causes, non-surgical correction is highly effective.