A tailor’s bunion is a bony growth that forms where your small toe meets the base of your foot. The bony bump appears below your small toe, not your big one --- that's a regular bunion.
Also called bunionettes, these bunions are smaller than regular ones. The tailor's bunion gets its name from clothing tailors. Many years ago, tailors often got bony bumps on their small toes from sitting cross-legged while at work.
What Causes Tailor’s Bunions?
A tailor’s bunion happens if the bones in your small toe get misaligned. The bones can shift. And your joint can stick out where your toe meets your foot. Over time, a tailor’s bunion can turn your toe in toward your other toes.
With a serious bunion, your toe can grow over or under your other ones. And your misaligned toe can affect how you stand or walk.
Causes of misalignment. Narrow shoes are the main cause of tailor’s bunions. And high heels may not leave enough room for your toes. The heels can push your small toe inward. And the shoe presses your small toe against your other toes.
If you sit cross-legged on one foot too often, the pressure can cause a tailor’s bunion. Standing or sitting can also impact your toes. Instead, try changing positions often. This can relieve toe pressure.
Other reasons for a tailor’s bunion include:
- Hereditary conditions can impact the bones in your feet
- A lower long bone (fifth metatarsal) than usual
- Walking with your feet leaning out, also called an inverted foot
- Loose ligaments, also called a splayed foot
- Tight calf muscles can change how you stand or walk
- Arthritis
Preventing tailor’s bunions. If you notice your toe position shifting, address the issue early. Purchase wider shoes to allow more room for your toes. You can also use a shoe stretcher. The stretcher can help widen the shoes you already own.
How Do You Treat a Tailor’s Bunion?
A tailor’s bunion can cause mild discomfort and symptoms. The bony bumps aren't usually a health problem. But bunionettes can affect your quality of life.
You can treat bunions with surgery — no matter how serious they are. Before tailor's bunion surgery, your doctor may suggest you try:
- New, wider shoes to allow more room for your toes
- Anti-inflammatory medicine to lessen swelling and relieve symptoms
- Padding the side of your foot to prevent friction
- Calf stretches several times a day to release tight muscles
There are several types of bunions, including:
Mild bunions. A surgeon may remove the enlarged portion of your bone. They'll also realign your foot muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The joint between your toes is secured to give it the best chance to heal correctly.
Moderate bunions. The position of your bone may have shifted. Your surgeon can cut the bone and move it back into position. They'll also align your ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Serious bunions. Your surgeon removes your bony growth. They may need to cut some healthy bone to correctly fit it. Your bone shifts back into place, along with ligaments, muscles, and tendons.
Arthritic bunions. Sometimes, other health conditions like arthritis can lead to bone damage. If arthritis causes inflammation, it can damage your joints. You may need bone fusion, which gives your bones a chance to heal together. Fusion can prevent shifting, too.
Do tailor’s bunion correctors work?
Bunion correctors (bunion pads) can ease your pain. The soft pads can prevent rubbing inside your shoe. But a corrector pad can't treat your bunion. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for your bony bump.
Risks of Tailor’s Bunion
Depending on your tailor's bunion treatment, you may have some side effects. Here are some common risks for bunionettes:
Not treating your bunion
If your tailor's bunion worsens, it can cause pain and discomfort. Your bunion can also affect how your toes align. If your toes don't align, it's called misalignment. And misalignment can change the way you walk.
Tailors bunion surgical risks
If home remedies don't help, your bunionette can affect your quality of life. Your doctor may suggest surgery.
Like all procedures, tailor's bunion surgery can come with risks. With bunion surgery, you may have:
Stiffness. Your toe may be stiff at first. It can take time for your toe to feel normal again.
Numbness. Your nerves can get pinched during surgery. You may lose feeling near your bunion, too.
Swelling. After surgery, swelling is normal. Try to keep your foot elevated. But if the swelling doesn't get better, talk to your doctor.
Delayed healing. Try to rest after tailor's bunion surgery. And keep pressure off your foot for a while.
Infection. With an open wound, infection is possible. Watch your surgical site for infection signs. You may notice:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Inflammation
- Worsening pain
Other complications. Your tailor's bunion can lead to other problems, too. You may get complications like:
- Your tailor's bunion growing back
- Nerve damage from the bunion or surgery
- Overcorrection of your toe alignment
Follow your doctor's care instructions for a speedy recovery after surgery. You'll likely wear a post-surgical shoe for a few weeks. Keep your shoe on, even in bed, to protect your toe.
Swelling can still happen up to six months after your surgery. Give yourself time to heal and wear comfortable shoes.
Tailor’s Bunion FAQs
What happens if a tailor's bunion is left untreated?
If untreated, your bunionette can get worse. The bony growth can get bigger, causing pain or discomfort. Without bunion treatment, you're at higher risk for bursitis, hammertoes, or arthritis in your foot.
What are the best shoes for a tailor's bunion?
Choose wider shoes that are deep enough for your tailor's bunion. Try shoes with a soft upper material. Soft materials can mold around your bony bump. But harder leathers or narrow shoes can rub or irritate your bunionette. And rubbing can lead to red, swollen bunions, as well as blisters.
How do you get rid of a tailor's bunion callus?
Repeated rubbing on your bunion can form a callus. Try soaking your callus in warm water to soften the skin. Then, use a pumice stone or foot file to gently remove the dead skin.
Apply a lotion that contains salicylic acid, ammonium lactate, or urea. These compounds help keep your skin moisturized. You can also use a bunion corrector pad. Place the pad over your bunion to prevent any rubbing.
How do you get rid of a tailor's bunion without surgery?
Here are a few ways to treat your bunion without surgery:
Over-the-counter or custom orthotic shoes. These shoes have more room in the toe box for your bunion. And some orthotics add a post inside to help relieve pain and pressure. You'll want to avoid narrow, tight shoes.
Bring down your swelling. With swelling, your doctor may suggest a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication. They may suggest steroid (glucocorticoid) injections, too.
And you can always ice your bunion for 20 minutes every two to three hours. But avoid ice if you have any circulation problems --- always talk to your doctor first.
Padding for your bunion. You can try a bunion corrector pad. The pads keep your bunion from rubbing inside your shoe.
