A bunionis a bump that forms on the toe joint, often causing a characteristic red, swollen bump on the top or side of the joint and resulting in a widening of the forefoot (toe area).
A bunion on the pinkie toe side is known as abunionette, or tailor’s bunion.This foot condition came to be known as a tailor’s bunion from the notion that tailors often sat in a cross-legged position while they worked, putting pressure on the outside of the foot. It was thought that this chronic pressure led to the development of the characteristic bump.
These changes can cause pain, make it difficult to wear shoes due to the widened forefoot, and can create cosmetic concerns.
Verywell / JR Bee
Symptoms of a Tailor’s Bunion
A tailor’s bunion progresses gradually, usually beginning with a prominence, or bump over the side of the fifth metatarsal bone. This is the area where the pinkie toe forms a joint with the long fifth metatarsal bone.
If you have a tailor’s bunion, you may also notice that your foot appears to have gotten wider. This widening occurs because of the gradual separation of the fifth metatarsal bone from the fourth metatarsal bone that lies next to it.
What Causes a Tailor’s Bunion?
Abnormal foot function is a common cause of a tailor’s bunion. Separation of the metatarsal bones is how a bunion forms structurally.
New activities or sports are examples of things that can cause a tailor’s bunion to develop. The foot is a complex, shock-absorbing structure with many joints. If there is excess motion in one part of the foot when stability is needed, changes in foot structure can occur.
Other causes of a tailor’s bunion include a hereditary, abnormal shape or position of the fifth metatarsal bone, as well as tight-fitting shoes.
Interestingly, tailor’s bunions occur much more often in women than men. One reason for this is thought to be women’s shoe wear—specifically, high heels and pointed-toe styles, which affect foot function.
Treatment of a Tailor’s Bunion
Non-surgical care of a tailor’s bunion may involve procedures to relieve pain or reduce any abnormal foot function that has been identified. An X-ray or other imaging study may help evaluate the structures around the fifth metatarsal.
Pain management may involve a cortisone injection if bursitis or swelling is present. A callus may be shaved off (a procedure known as debridement) for additional pain relief.
Surgerymay be an option, especially if there are abnormalities in the fifth metatarsal bone. Procedures may involve shaving the bump or repositioning the fifth metatarsal bone. These surgical procedures involve some downtime afterward but are the only effective way to correct a tailor’s bunion.
Foot Problems People Mistake for a Bunion
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Bunions.American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Tailor’s bunion (bunionette).Kaiser Permanente Thrive.Tailor’s bunion.Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about bunions.Harvard Health Publishing.What is a tailor’s bunion?Cleveland Clinic.7 ways to ease bunion pain without surgery.Podiatry Today.What is the best way to treat a Tailor’s bunion?Additional ReadingFallat, DPM, Lawrence M. Pathology of the Fifth Ray, Including the Tailor’s Bunion Deformity.Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.Vol. 7 (4).
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Bunions.American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Tailor’s bunion (bunionette).Kaiser Permanente Thrive.Tailor’s bunion.Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about bunions.Harvard Health Publishing.What is a tailor’s bunion?Cleveland Clinic.7 ways to ease bunion pain without surgery.Podiatry Today.What is the best way to treat a Tailor’s bunion?Additional ReadingFallat, DPM, Lawrence M. Pathology of the Fifth Ray, Including the Tailor’s Bunion Deformity.Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.Vol. 7 (4).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Bunions.American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Tailor’s bunion (bunionette).Kaiser Permanente Thrive.Tailor’s bunion.Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about bunions.Harvard Health Publishing.What is a tailor’s bunion?Cleveland Clinic.7 ways to ease bunion pain without surgery.Podiatry Today.What is the best way to treat a Tailor’s bunion?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Bunions.
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Tailor’s bunion (bunionette).
Kaiser Permanente Thrive.Tailor’s bunion.
Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about bunions.
Harvard Health Publishing.What is a tailor’s bunion?
Cleveland Clinic.7 ways to ease bunion pain without surgery.
Podiatry Today.What is the best way to treat a Tailor’s bunion?
Fallat, DPM, Lawrence M. Pathology of the Fifth Ray, Including the Tailor’s Bunion Deformity.Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.Vol. 7 (4).
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