Tailor's bunions are a misalignment of the toes on the foot. It leads to a clearly visible and usually painful swelling on the little toe.
Below you will find further information and selected specialists for bunions.
The term "tailor's bunions" is derived from the profession of tailor. Tailors used to sit cross-legged on the floor while working. Their crossed legs exerted strong pressure on the metatarsal head of the little toe - with subsequent deformation into a tailor's bunion.
With an above-average angle between the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, the metatarsal head of the little toe protrudes far outwards. In the shoe, the protruding toe is pressed inwards, which leads to the formation of the tailor's bunion.
The pressure in the shoe causes a pressure point with a thickening of the callus on the outer edge of the foot at the level of the metatarsal head. This can develop into a callus or corn.
Typical of a tailor's bunion is the clearly visible swelling in the bunion area. Redness and inflammation often also occur due to the mechanical stress caused by the footwear.
Only one foot or both feet can be affected by a tailor's bunion. Occasionally, tailor's bunions are congenital.
Tailor's bunions occur more frequently in women than in men. This is due to the fact that shoes with high heels put more strain on the toes.
Other names for tailor's bunions are small toe bunions and bunionettes.
Basically, the tailor's bunion can be seen as the counterpart to the big toe bunion(hallux valgus).
On its own, a tailor's bunion usually causes no or only mild discomfort. However, wearing shoes causes pain in the lateral and upper area of the fifth metatarsal bone.
If redness and swelling occur, the tailor's bunion causes discomfort even when barefoot.
In addition, the originally protruding little toe, which is pushed inwards in the shoe, can press against the neighboring fourth toe. Sometimes it can even push over or under the fourth toe. Pressure points can also form between the two toes.
A tailor's bunion leads to significant swelling on the little toe © Aksana | AdobeStock
The cause of a tailor's bunion is the heavy mechanical strain on the ball of the little toe. The affected foot is often a splayfoot, where the toes are generally further apart.
The little toe has a prominent position on the outside. It serves as a buffer and must absorb the pressure exerted on the foot from the side. The pressure usually comes from shoes.
Sometimes a splayfoot only gradually becomes more pronounced over the years. Therefore, a tailor's bunion can also occur later in life.
Overall, there are four causes for the development of a tailor's bunion:
The visible characteristic symptoms already suggest the suspicion of a tailor's bunion to the general practitioner. It is advisable to consult an orthopaedic specialist for further or co-treatment.
The doctor will carry out an X-ray examination to confirm the diagnosis. This provides more detailed information about the misalignment of the metatarsal bones.
In addition, the patient's answers to specific questions help the doctor to make a diagnosis.
Depending on the condition, a tailor's bunion is treated conservatively or surgically.
It may be sufficient to treat the tailor's bunion with pressure-relieving measures.
Cooling provides initial relief for acute symptoms. A special padded pressure point plaster, which has a hole in the area of the tailor's bunion, relieves the area.
For the conservative treatment of bunions, special shoe insoles and
have proven effective.
If conservative treatment of bunions does not lead to the desired success, surgery can provide a remedy.
Surgical treatment is necessary if
Depending on the condition of the tailor's bunion, surgery can have several objectives:
After the operation, the patient receives a corrective rein bandage and a so-called bandage shoe. This allows the patient to put weight on the foot again shortly after the operation. The patient wears the bandage and shoe for approximately three weeks.
If the patient is still unable to put weight on the foot after the tailor's bunion operation, they will need crutches. In this case, it may take four to six weeks or more before the patient can put weight on the foot.
In the long term, a tailor's bunion has a good prognosis, provided that a correct diagnosis has been made with subsequent targeted therapy. Nevertheless, those affected should take care after treatment. This applies above all to the choice of shoes. They should also attend follow-up appointments.
Even if the foot is officially considered weight-bearing again after the operation, you should still walk very little at first. You can then gradually increase the amount of walking you do.
Swelling may still occur occasionally after the operation. It is beneficial if you elevate your foot from time to time.
The operation will leave you unable to work for a while. The duration of your incapacity to work depends on
and is approximately four to six weeks.
Those affected can do a lot themselves to alleviate the discomfort caused by their bunions. Prevention is also possible, especially after treatment:
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