Bunionette (Tailor’s Bunion)

A bunionette is a condition similar to a bunion, but considered unique in that it affects the joint at the base of the baby toe. Bunions affect more than half of all American women, and a quarter of men. They are twice as common among people over the age of 60. This condition is usually quick to diagnose because the protrusion is visually apparent.

Causes

Bunionettes are caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot, by arthritis, or by a misalignment of the foot. Regardless of the cause, the symptoms of a tailor’s bunion are usually aggravated by wearing shoes that squeeze the toes into pointy or narrow toe boxes, forcing the toes to fold over one another to fit in. In these cases, changes occur in the foot’s bony framework, resulting in the development of an enlargement.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the tailor’s bunions include redness, swelling, and pain at the site of the enlargement.

Potential Treatments

In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your case, doctors will likely consider the extent of the deformity based on their findings. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.