What Is A Tailor’s Bunion?

A tailor’s bunion is a bump that forms on the outside of the foot at the joint of the little toe. The condition gets its name because tailors were required to sit cross-legged on the floor for long periods, and this position put extra pressure on the small toe joint. Tailor’s bunions can also be called bunionettes.

Tailor’s Bunion Symptoms

A tailor’s bunion or bunionette is always a bony lump that forms on the outside of the foot, where the metatarsal bone joins the toe.

The deformity is a result of the metatarsal bone displacing and moving outwards. It’s this protuberance that creates the appearance of the bony lump.

Many people can develop a tailor’s bunion without experiencing any pain from the condition. However, when the bump grows, the skin around the area can rub on shoes and become sore and irritated.

Once a bunionette becomes painful, the walking gait can change, and calluses may form due to the change in pressure distribution over the underside of the foot.

What Causes Bunions?

Bunions are extremely common – it is estimated that 1 in 3 adults will experience bunion pain at some point in their lives. Bunions are most commonly caused by:

Improper or Ill-Fitting Footwear

Wearing shoes that are too small can lead to a bunion, as well as high heels or narrow shoes that might cramp your toes. Many doctors recommend opting for shoes that have a little extra room in order to avoid cramping toes or complications such as bunions which can form as a result of tight footwear. You should also avoid wearing high heels or overly tight and restrictive shoes for an extended period of time in order to avoid bunions and other possible complications.

Genetics

While many studies show that bunions themselves are not hereditary, one of the most common causes of bunions is the natural shape of one’s foot, which is caused by genetics. If your natural foot shape places pressure on your big toe, it is likely that you will experience a bunion. There is also the possibility that genes responsible for other foot conditions can be a hereditary cause for bunions. Hypermobility, for example, is a condition that can eventually lead to bunion formation and is genetic. Another risk for bunions that could be genetic is a patient with a tight Achilles tendon. While bunions themselves are not believed to be hereditary, there are many genetic causes that can contribute to the likelihood of one experiencing bunions at a higher rate than others.

Joint Conditions

Medical conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis that cause bone and joint pain can lead to further complications which include bunions. This often occurs because Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause one’s body to attack the lining of the big toe joint, causing ligamentous and joint instability. The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis and bunions are very similar, so it can be difficult to diagnose a bunion in these patients without a proper doctor’s visit. If you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis or similar bone and joint conditions, you are at a higher risk for bunions in comparison to those without pre-existing conditions.

Any activity or condition that puts constant pressure or stress on your big toe joint can put you at high risk for bunions.

Treating Tailor’s Bunions

When left untreated, bunion pain can get worse. Bunions that are not removed or treated can hinder people from resuming everyday activities such as walking, driving, and wearing their favorite shoes.

Options for treatment include:

Home Bunion Treatments

Many people who experience tailor’s bunions first look to non-surgical treatments to address the problem. There are a number of potential ways to treat a bunion or a bunionette, however, it’s important to remember that no at-home method can effectively treat the root cause of or cure a tailor’s bunion. These treatments are designed only to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with bunions. For instance, bunion pads or cushions can be used to lessen bunion pain when walking. Since the pads work to cut down on the friction between the shoe and the bunion, the pain may not be as severe.

Similarly, ice packs and stretches may help to reduce the swelling or throbbing from a bunion. But neither of these treatments will scale down the bunion’s size or discomfort long term. Nor will products like bunion correctors act to realign the foot in any meaningful way.

To sum up, at-home treatments may be worth trying in a pinch, but if you’ve suffered from bunion pain for months or years, you might require surgery.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

At The Bunion Cure Surgery Center, our minimally invasive surgical procedures have replaced the need for traditional bunion surgery. Minimally invasive bunion surgery is an outpatient procedure that is quick, painless, and effective in the permanent removal of bunions. Many patients are able to drive home following the surgery. Plus, individuals with office jobs will likely be able to return to work right away. Minimally invasive surgeries don’t leave massive scars along the side of the foot, and they don’t require extensive rest or 6-12 months of recovery time. Instead, most patients will only have to wear a protective shoe for a few weeks following the procedure.

Contact Us

The Bunion Cure at Northwest Surgery Center’s team has years of experience diagnosing common issues like bunions and hammertoes, and we only use the most advanced techniques to treat them.

If you’re tired of dealing with painful and disruptive foot pain, then contact us here for a consultation.

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