Tailors Bunion (Bunionette)

A Tailor’s bunion is a painful bony bump that forms on the outside of the foot at the base of the little toe, caused by a misaligned fifth metatarsal bone.

Symptoms

• Redness, swelling, and tenderness at the base of the pinky toe
• Pain when wearing shoes or walking
• Development of corns or calluses over the bump

Causes 

An inherited abnormal foot structure leads to gradual outward shift of the fifth metatarsal, creating a prominent bump as the joint becomes inflamed.

Risk Factors

• Wearing narrow, tight, or high-heeled shoes
• Flexible ligaments or flat feet
• Abnormal foot mechanics or walking gait

Diagnosis 

Our foot and ankle specialists perform a visual examination, feel the affected area, and use standing X-rays to assess the degree of bone displacement.

Treatment

• Non-Surgical: Roomy footwear, custom orthotics, padding, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications.
• Surgical: When conservative care fails to relieve pain, minimally invasive surgery realigns the bone.