A bunion is a painful bump that develops at the base of your big toe joint. The visible part of the bunion is caused by a bony bump that develops in the joint of the big toe. Bunions form because of a misalignment of the bones of the big toe. This misalignment can occur because of genetic predisposition or because of the shoes that are being worn.
A Tailor’s bunion is very similar to a regular bunion, but it forms at the base of the small toe. People who suffer from regular bunions, very often suffer from Tailor’s bunions, as well. A tailor’s bunion forms on the first joint of the fifth metatarsal or little toe sometimes called the pinky toe. Tailor’s bunions are not as common as regular bunions but can cause the sufferer a great deal of pain and discomfort.
Certain people are more prone to developing bunions, including tailor’s bunions, than others. A genetic predisposition can result in the formation of bunions in men and women with a family history of them. However, shoe choice can result in bunions for individuals regardless of family history.
What is a Tailor’s Bunion?
A tailor’s bunion, similar to a regular bunion, forms at the base of the fifth toe, sometimes referred to as the pinky toe or baby toe. Typically, bunions form at the base, underneath the great toe. However, tailor’s bunions form on the outside of the foot, at the base of the smallest toe.
Tailor’s bunions form because of pressure on the outside of the foot, at the base of the small toe. Tailor’s bunions got their name because they were common among tailors in ancient times, who would commonly sit cross-legged on the ground as they worked. With their feet pressed against the ground, the greatest pressure was sometimes born by the curve of the foot at the small toe. As the tailor’s toe would rub against the ground, the pressure on the joint at the base of the toe would cause the toe to move out of alignment and the misalignment would result in the formation of the bunion.
A bump on the side of a tailor’s foot was so common that the bump became known as a “Tailor’s Bunion.”
Bunionettes
Bunions that form on the little toe and create a bump along the outside of your foot are called bunionettes or Tailor’s bunions. A tailor’s bunion forms alongside the bottom joint of the fifth, or little, toe. These bunionettes can be particularly painful when they rub against the outside of the shoe. While regular bunions are fairly common, tailor’s bunions are not nearly so frequently occurring. Only 4% of the population report tailor’s bunions, while 39% of the general population suffers from regular bunions.
Why is it called a Tailor’s Bunion?
Tailor’s bunions got their name because they were common among tailors in ancient times, who would commonly sit cross-legged on the ground as they worked. With their feet pressed against the ground, the greatest pressure was sometimes born by the curve of the foot at the small toe. As the tailor’s toe would rub against the ground, the pressure on the joint at the base of the toe would cause the toe to move out of alignment and the misalignment would result in the formation of the bunion.
A bump on the side of a tailor’s foot was so common that the bump became known as a “Tailor’s Bunion.”
What causes a Tailor’s Bunion?
Pressure along the outside of the foot, especially at the base of the littlest toe, causes the joint of the small toe to move out of alignment. The joint at the base of the little toe moves outward, while the little toe itself moves inward. As the metatarsal bone protrudes, it becomes less protected and more easily irritated by pressure.
In the beginning, tailor’s bunions may not be painful as the toes are moving out of place slowly in response to continuous pressure, either from shoe wear or a genetic condition in the structure of the foot. However, as the bump that is the metatarsal bone becomes more prominent and less protected by the small toe, the pressure that created the misalignment becomes more and more irritating to the joint, resulting in redness and swelling.
Occasionally, a bone spur may develop on the head of the metatarsal bone. A bone spur is an outgrowth of bone, growing in a place where it was not intended. If a bone spur starts at the site of the tailor’s bunion, the prescribed treatment may be somewhat different than the typical tailor’s bunion treatment.
Only a podiatrist can determine the underlying causes of a tailor’s bunion and prescribe a course of treatment designed to treat both the causes and the symptoms of a tailor’s bunion. While a tailor’s bunion can usually be diagnosed by visual observation of the foot, X-rays or other imaging equipment may be required to determine whether bone spurs have formed or if underlying structural misalignments are causing the condition.
Dr. Jeffery Kleis is a board-certified podiatrist with more than 25 years of experience treating the residents of Orange County and Southern California. From his centrally located office in Costa Mesa, Dr. Kleis has been leading the way in treatment for bunions and all disorders and conditions of the feet and ankles.
Dr. Kleis ensures that he and his team remain on the cutting edge of treatment technology. Dr. Kleis is a leader in the field of acoustic-wave and low-level laser therapy for treating a variety of feet and ankle injuries and conditions.
For an evaluation of your tailor’s bunion symptoms, schedule a visit online or call (714) 760-4944 today!
Tailor’s Bunion Symptoms
Pain, redness, and swelling are the primary symptoms of a tailor’s bunion. In the beginning, tailor’s bunions may not be painful as the toes are moving out of place slowly in response to continuous pressure, either from shoe wear or a genetic condition in the structure of the foot. However, as the bump that is the metatarsal bone becomes more prominent and less protected by the small toe, the pressure that created the misalignment becomes more and more irritating to the joint, resulting in redness and swelling.
A Bump on the Pinky Toe
Traditionally, a tailor’s bunion was most common among those of the tailor profession. Ancient tailors would sit cross-legged on the ground as they worked. This position put a great deal of pressure on the foot at the base of the pinky toe. This pressure, over time, would move the top of the pinky toe inward, leaving the fifth metatarsal bone to protrude unnaturally. With the pinky toe no longer protecting the metatarsal bone, the bone would become irritated and inflamed. Sometimes a bone spur would develop in response to the repeated pressure and irritation, making the situation worse.
If you have a bump on your pinky toe that is red, swollen, and painful, it likely a tailor’s bunion. Dr. Jeffery Kleis is a board-certified podiatrist with more than 25 years of experience treating the residents of Orange County and Southern California. From his centrally located office in Costa Mesa, Dr. Kleis has been leading the way in treatment for bunions and all disorders and conditions of the feet and ankles.
For an evaluation of a bump on your pinky toe, schedule a visit online or call (714) 760-4944 today!
Bunion on the Pinky Toe
Bunions that form on the little toe and create a bump along the outside of your foot are called bunionettes or Tailor’s bunions. A tailor’s bunion forms alongside the bottom joint of the fifth, or little, toe. These bunionettes can be particularly painful when they rub against the outside of the shoe. While regular bunions are fairly common, tailor’s bunions are not nearly so frequently occurring. Only 4% of the population report tailor’s bunions, while 39% of the general population suffers from regular bunions.
Tailor’s Bunion Treatment
While home remedies won’t get rid of a tailor’s bunion, you can sometimes significantly reduce the pain and discomfort through a few easy, at-home treatments.
At-Home Treatments for Tailor’s Bunion
- Bunion Pads – A silicone bunion pad over the tailor’s bunion bump can help relieve the pressure and prevent further rubbing against your shoe.
- Change Shoes – Shoes are the primary cause of tailor’s bunions. Avoid high-heeled or narrow-toed shoes and change to a shoe with a wider toe box.
- Ice – Icing the painful area several times a day can help relieve the pain and swelling.
- NSAIDs – Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, Naproxin sodium, and acetaminophen can reduce inflammation and help with the pain.
- Calf Stretches – Stretching the calf muscles several times per week can help relieve the pain and pressure of bunions.
Doctors Treatment for Tailor’s Bunions
If at-home treatments don’t provide sufficient relief from your painful tailor’s bunion symptoms, Dr. Kleis may prescribe additional treatments.
- Injections – Corticosteroid injections will reduce swelling and relieve pain.
- Custom Orthotics – Shoe inserts tailored specifically for your foot structure may relieve the pressure on your little toe and help reduce the symptoms of tailor’s bunion.
Tailor’s Bunion Surgery
If at-home and in-office treatments are insufficient to relieve the pain and pressure of tailor’s bunions, surgery may be required. Tailor’s bunion surgery is an out-patient procedure, allowing you to return home the same day as your surgery. During the surgery, the surgeon will shave off the extra growth of tissue that is causing pain and preventing normal shoe wear. In some cases, parts of the bone will need to be shaved away to prevent the recurrence of the tailor’s bunion.
Recovery from tailor’s bunion surgery may take from three to twelve weeks. At first, you will have to avoid bearing weight on the affected foot. Crutches or a walker can help with mobility as the foot heals.
Only a doctor can decide whether surgery is the appropriate treatment for your tailor’s bunion. Dr. Jeffery Kleis is a board-certified podiatrist with more than 25 years of experience treating the residents of Orange County and Southern California. From his centrally located office in Costa Mesa, Dr. Kleis has been leading the way in treatment for bunions and all disorders and conditions of the feet and ankles.
For an evaluation of your tailor’s bunion symptoms, schedule a visit online or call (714) 760-4944 today!
Tailor’s Bunion Doctor
Only a podiatrist can determine the underlying causes of a tailor’s bunion and prescribe a course of treatment designed to treat both the causes and the symptoms of a tailor’s bunion. While a tailor’s bunion can usually be diagnosed by visual observation of the foot, X-rays or other imaging equipment may be required to determine whether bone spurs have formed or if underlying structural misalignments are causing the condition.
Dr. Jeffery Kleis is a board-certified podiatrist who has been treating the residents of Orange County for more than 25 years. From his centrally located office in Costa Mesa, Dr. Kleis has been leading the way in treatment for bunions and all disorders and conditions of the feet and ankles.
Dr. Kleis ensures that he and his team remain on the cutting edge of treatment technology. Dr. Kleis is a leader in the field of acoustic-wave and low-level laser therapy for treating a variety of feet and ankle injuries and conditions.
Call Dr. Kleis, Southern California’s leading podiatrist, for an evaluation of your tailor’s bunion symptoms. Schedule a visit online or call (714) 760-4944 today!