Tailor's Bunions

The big toe isn’t the only place where people develop bunions. Although rarer, a bunion can develop on the outside of the little toe. These are called Tailor’s bunions, and if you’re suffering because of one or just don’t like the way it looks, we at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates can help.

The long bones of the foot that lead to the toes are called metatarsals. When a person has a tailor’s bunion, the head of the metatarsal leading to the little toe bulges out, while the little toe points inward. The development of bunions often has a hereditary factor, such as a biomechanical problem that causes people to put pressure on the outside of their foot, but it could also be caused by tight calf muscles. Tailor’s bunions tend to get more severe with time, but may only be present on one foot.

We can provide patients with anti-inflammatory medications in the form of injections or pills. But treating a Tailor’s bunion will also require patients to wear shoes that don’t compress their toes or slide them forward. They may also benefit from padding or orthotics. Surgery to realign toe bones is an option for severe cases, after which patients would also need to guard against relapses by wearing supportive shoes. Patients may also be able to relieve the pressure on the outside of their feet by doing stretches to loosen their calves.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.