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Tailors Bunions

A Tailor's bunion is similar to a bunion, the main difference being that it occurs on the outside of the foot presenting as an enlargement of the joint at the base of the little toe.

Common symptoms will include pain, swelling and redness over and around the enlargement of the joint. This inflammatory response is due to irritation of the soft tissues overlying the joint. Wearing shoes that are too narrow or pointed in the toe box is the primary cause of this.

The underlying causes of a tailor's bunion may include the structure and function of the bones that make up the joint. Changes to the alignment of the long metatarsal bone and smaller toe bones will often result in a protrusion of the joint. This protrusion is easily aggravated when a shoe rubs against it. Continued wearing of narrow or tight fitting shoes may actually speed up the development of the bunion.

Treatment will initially involve measures to decrease the pain and inflammation. Icing and the use of No steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that contain ibuprofen will usually help to relieve the pain. Avoidance of high heeled or narrow fitting shoes is also very important. If necessary shoes may be stretched or modified with in shoe padding to accommodate for the boney protrusion.

 

Orthotics or customised insoles may also be prescribed to help protect the joint and correct any structural alignment issues.

If pain and dysfunction continues after persisting with the conservative treatments mentioned above, consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon would be considered.