Whether you’re slipping your foot into the perfect pair of 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 worry about more?
If you experience pain in tight shoes or notice a lump on the outside of your foot near your pinky toe, you may have a tailor’s bunion. Below we will explain exactly what it is and when you should contact a podiatrist.
What is tailor’s bunion?
A tailor’s bunion, or bunion, is a lump on the outside of the foot, near the little toe. It is usually caused by a change in the structure of the fifth metatarsal bone (the long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe). Tailor’s bunions are not as common as bunions, which develop around the big toe joint. However, the causes are the same. The little toe turns inward while the metatarsal pushes outward, making the foot appear wider and resembling a bunion, but on the opposite side of the foot.
Although tailor’s bunions are not that common, they have been around for a long time. Centuries ago, tailors worked on the floor with their legs crossed, causing the outer edge of the foot to rub against the ground. The constant rubbing created a painful lump on the outside of their foot, which we now call a tailor’s bunion.
Signs and symptoms of tailor’s bunion
Tailor’s bunions are a progressive condition due to the underlying structure of the foot. This means that they develop slowly and it can take years for visible signs to appear. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your feet when you start to notice stiffness or pain, even if there are no visible signs of a problem.
The first symptoms of a tailor’s bunion
- Red, irritated, or warm-to-the-touch skin around the little finger
- Stiffness or limited range of motion near the site of the lump
- Swelling or redness around the joint.
- Tenderness or pain on the outside of the foot near the little toe
Visible signs of tailor’s bunion
- An enlarged lump on the outside of your foot.
- Thickened skin at the base of the little finger.
- The little toe is turned inward or at an angle, perhaps even overlapping the toe next to it.
What a tailor’s bunion feels like
Tailor’s bunions can be quite uncomfortable. You may feel throbbing, stiffness, swelling, and pain on the outside of your foot, especially when you wear tight shoes or do physical activity.
It’s common to think that tailor’s bunions are caused by things we can control, like the shoes we wear. But there are other factors, such as the structure or shape of your foot, that can make you more likely to develop a tailor’s bunion.
Inappropriate footwear that squeezes the toes.
If you love wearing high heels or other shoes that aren’t the most foot-friendly, it doesn’t mean you’ll develop a tailor’s bunion. But a tailor’s bunion can get worse over time depending on the shoes you wear. Avoid narrow, ill-fitting shoes that don’t leave enough room for your toes if you start to experience tailor’s bunion symptoms.
Health and genetics also play a role
Certain conditions increase someone’s chance of developing a tailor’s bunion, including:
- Arthritis
- Hereditary conditions that affect the bones of the feet.
- Loose ligaments (extended foot)
- Fifth metatarsal bone lower than normal
- Tight calf muscles that affect how you walk or stand
People who have bunions on the inside of the foot (next to the big toe) are also at higher risk for a tailor’s bunion.
When to Get Treatment for Tailor’s Bunion
When to seek treatment for tailor’s bunion will depend on your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. If you notice early signs, you may be able to relieve discomfort with home treatments. But these suggestions only help relieve symptoms, they do not treat the root cause of the problem. For this you will need to go to a podiatrist, especially if you experience pain or discomfort that affects your daily life.
How to treat tailor’s bunion without surgery
If you experience early signs of a tailor’s bunion on the outside of your foot, it is important to address the problem immediately. Often this means buying wider shoes or investing in a shoe tree to make the shoes you already have more comfortable.
Other non-surgical home treatments include:
- Taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, or naproxen sodium (Aleve)
- Apply heat and ice
- Wear special footwear and orthotics.
- Maintain a healthy weight
When it’s time to consider surgery for tailor’s bunion
If the non-surgical treatments you are using have stopped working or are becoming less effective (and the pain has begun to affect your ability to perform daily activities), it may be time to consider surgery.
The type of custom bunion surgery can vary. In milder cases, your podiatrist may be able to simply “remove the bunion.” But more advanced cases often require repositioning of the bones to improve toe alignment.
A podiatrist can help you recover
If you have a hard or painful lump on the outside of your foot, don’t ignore it.
Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating foot and ankle conditions. They will be able to confirm if you have a tailor’s bunion and provide you with a personalized treatment plan to help you get back to doing the things you love.
