Whether you’re squeezing your foot into the perfect shoes or training for a marathon, sometimes we’re hard on our feet. Most of us have experienced the occasional callus, blister or cut on our feet. But how do you know when it’s normal wear and tear, or something to be more concerned about?
If you’re experiencing pain in tight shoes or are noticing a bump on the outside of your foot near your pinky toe, you could have a tailor’s bunion. Below, we will explain exactly what that is and when you should contact a podiatrist.
What is a tailor’s bunion?
A tailor’s bunion, or bunionette, is a bump on the outside of your foot near your pinky toe. It’s typically caused by a change to the structure of your fifth metatarsal bone (the long bone on the outside of your foot that connects to your little toe). Tailor’s bunions are not as common as bunions, which develop around the joint of your big toe. However, the causes are the same. Your pinky toe is turning inward while your metatarsal is pushing out, making your foot appear wider and giving the appearance of a bunion, but on the opposite side of your foot.
Even though tailor’s bunions aren’t as common, they’ve been around for a long time. Centuries ago, tailors would work cross-legged on the floor causing the outside edge of their foot to rub against the ground. The constant rubbing created a painful bump on the outside of their foot, which we now call a tailor’s bunion.
Signs and symptoms of a tailor’s bunion
Tailor’s bunions are a progressive condition due to the underlying structure of your foot. This means they develop slowly, and it could take years for visible signs to show up. So it’s important to pay attention to your feet when you start noticing stiffness or pain, even if there is no visible sign of a problem.
Early symptoms of a tailor’s bunion
- Red, irritated or warm-to-the-touch skin around your pinky toe
- Stiffness or limited range of motion near the site of the bump
- Swelling or redness around the joint
- Tenderness or pain on the outside of your foot near the little toe
Visible signs of a tailor’s bunion
- A bump enlargement on the outside of your foot
- Thickened skin at the base of the little toe
- Your pinky toe is turned in or at an angle, maybe even overlapping the toe next to it
What a tailor’s bunion feels like
Tailor’s bunions can be pretty uncomfortable. You may feel throbbing, stiffness, swelling and pain to the outside of your foot, especially when wearing tight shoes or doing physical activity.
It’s common to think tailor’s bunions are caused by things we can control, like the shoes we wear. But there are other factors, like the structure or shape of your foot, that may make it more likely for you to develop a tailor’s bunion.
Improper footwear that crowds your toes
If you love to wear high heels or other shoes that aren’t the most foot friendly, it doesn’t mean you’re going to develop a tailor’s bunion. But a tailor’s bunion may get worse with time based on the shoes you wear. Avoid narrow, ill-fitting shoes that don’t leave enough room for your toes if you begin to experience symptoms of a tailor’s bunion.
Health and genetics also plays a role
Certain conditions make it more likely for someone to develop a tailor’s bunion, including:
- Arthritis
- Hereditary conditions that impact the bones in your feet
- Loose ligaments (splay foot)
- Lower-than-normal fifth metatarsal bone
- Tight calf muscles that affect how you walk or stand
People who have bunions on the inside of their foot (by the big toe) are also at a greater risk for a tailor’s bunion.
When to get treatment for a tailor’s bunion
When to seek treatment for a tailor’s bunion will depend on your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. If you’re noticing the early signs, you may be able to ease discomfort with at-home treatments. But these suggestions only help alleviate symptoms, they don’t treat the root cause of the problem. For that you’ll need to see a podiatrist, especially if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort that affects day-to-day living.
How to treat a tailor’s bunion without surgery
If you are experiencing early signs of a tailor’s bunion on the outside of your foot, it’s important to address the issue right away. Often this means buying wider shoes or investing in a shoe stretcher to make the shoes you already own more comfortable.
Other nonsurgical at-home treatments include:
- Taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin or naproxen sodium (Aleve)
- Applying heat and ice
- Wearing special footwear and orthotics
- Maintaining a healthy weight
When it’s time to consider surgery for a tailor’s bunion
If the nonsurgical treatments you’re using have stopped working or are becoming less effective – and the pain has started to impact your ability to perform daily activities – it may be time to consider surgery.
The type of tailor’s bunion surgery can vary. In milder cases, your podiatrist may be able to simply “shave off the bunion.” But more advanced cases often need to reposition the bones to improve the alignment of your toes.
A podiatrist can help get you back on your feet
If you have a hard or painful bump on the outside of your foot, don’t ignore it.
Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating foot and ankle conditions. They’ll be able to confirm if you have a tailor’s bunion and provide a personalized treatment plan to help you get back to doing the things you love.
