13 Apr What Is a Tailor’s Bunion?

About Tailor’s Bunion

A bunion is a hard, bony protuberance that grows on the joint of your foot. Bunions can be painful, and they are often unsightly.

A tailor’s bunion is a bunion that forms at the base of your little toe. It is also called a “bunionette.”

They’re called tailor’s bunions because tailors often sat cross-legged on hard surfaces while they worked. This led to the formation of small bunions in that precise spot.

What Are the Symptoms of Tailor’s Bunion?

• Hard, swollen bump at the base of your little toe.
• Swelling and redness.
• Burning pain.
• Inability to move your toe.

Bunions aren’t dangerous, but they can make you miserable. You should contact a podiatrist every time you have a painful foot condition.

What Causes Bunions?

The exact cause of bunions isn’t known, but food care experts agree certain factors can contribute to getting them.

Genetics: The shape of your foot is the primary cause of bunions, and this is genetic. Your family may also share low arches, flat feet and other conditions that set you up for foot problems. If your family members suffer from bunions, it’s highly likely you’ll have them.

Foot deformity: A foot deformity at birth could leave your toes more susceptible to bunions. This may be a slight deformity you never notice until you start having problems.

Wearing the wrong shoes: Wearing high heels and tight, narrow shoes can cause bunions to develop or get worse. High heels, in particular, force the toes to maintain an unnatural position. Women are 10 times more likely to have bunions than men are.

Illness: Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases can frequently cause bunions.

How Do You Treat Bunions?

Bunions are a common foot disorder. An estimated 3 million people visit a podiatrist to treat bunions.

Your foot care specialist can diagnose a bunion and prescribe the correct treatment. To measure the size and depth of your bunion, your doctor may take an x-ray and measure the angles between certain bones in the foot. Your doctor then classifies the bunion as mild, moderate, or severe.

Typical Treatments for Tailor’s Bunion

Protection: Your podiatrist may prescribe a protective wrap to keep the bunion from banging into things and getting worse. You may also wear a soft custom orthotic to cushion the foot and ease the pain of a bunion.

Night splint: Night splints can hold your toe straight while you sleep.

Footwear: Wear shoes with a wide toe box and sturdy heel support. You can wear backless shoes if your bunion is on your heel. Sandals with supportive heels, slip-on loafers, and sneakers are all good choices.

Home care: Soaking your feet, gentle massages and over-the-counter pain medications will all be part of your home care routine.

Do You Need Surgery for a Tailor’s Bunion?

It’s best to start with conservative treatment of a bunion. In most cases, you don’t need surgery for a bunion. Recovery from foot surgery can take up to a year, so only choose surgery if your other options don’t work.

There are two types of bunion surgery.

• Bunionectomy: In this procedure for mild or moderate bunions, the podiatrist shaves down the bony part of the bunion. Next, the doctor realigns the ligaments and tendons in your toe.
• Osteotomy: In this surgery for severe bunions, the podiatrist cuts into the affected bone, rotates it and then fixes it with pins or screws.

Call Us About Bunions and Other Foot Problems

At Shuman Podiatry & Sports Medicine, we can help with tailor’s bunions and other foot problems. With warm weather on the way, it’s time to get your feet ready for a new season.