Tailor's Bunion Deformity in Orange County

Our Orange County Podiatrist / Foot and Ankle Surgeon can evaluate and treat your Tailor's Bunion Deformity at our Irvine, CA, Huntington Beach, CA or Orange, CA offices.

 

What Is a Tailor’s Bunion in Orange County?
A Tailor’s bunion, also called a bunionette, is a prominence of the fifth metatarsal bone at the base of the little toe. The metatarsals are the five long bones of the foot. The prominence that characterizes a tailor’s bunion occurs at the metatarsal “head,” located at the far end of the bone where it meets the toe. Tailor’s bunions are not as common as bunions, which occur on the inside of the foot, but they are similar in symptoms and causes.

 

Why is it called a Tailor’s bunion?

The deformity received its name centuries ago, when tailors sat cross-legged all day with the outside edge of their feet rubbing on the ground. This constant rubbing led to a painful bump at the base of the little toe.

 

Causes of Tailor's Bunion in Orange County
Often a tailor’s bunion is caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. In these cases, changes occur in the foot’s bony framework, resulting in the development of an enlargement. The fifth metatarsal bone starts to protrude outward, while the little toe moves inward. This shift creates a bump on the outside of the foot that becomes irritated whenever a shoe presses against it.

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Sometimes a tailor’s bunion is actually a bony spur (an outgrowth of bone) on the side of the fifth metatarsal head. Regardless of the cause, the symptoms of a tailor’s bunion are usually aggravated by wearing shoes that are too narrow in the toe, producing constant rubbing and pressure.

 

Symptoms of Tailor's Bunion in Orange County
The symptoms of tailor’s bunions include redness, swelling, and pain at the site of the enlargement. These symptoms occur when wearing shoes that rub against the enlargement, irritating the soft tissues underneath the skin and producing inflammation.

 

Diagnosis of Tailor's Bunion in Orange County
Tailor’s bunion is easily diagnosed, because the protrusion is visually apparent. X-rays may be ordered to help the foot and ankle surgeon determine the cause and extent of the deformity.

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Non-Surgical Treatment of Tailor's Bunion in Orange County
Treatment for tailor’s bunion typically begins with non-surgical therapies. Your Orange County Podiatrist / Foot and Ankle Surgeon may select one or more of the following:

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• Shoe modifications. Choose shoes that have a wide toe box and avoid those with pointed toes or high heels.

• Padding. Bunionette pads placed over the area may help reduce pain.

• Oral medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may help relieve the pain and inflammation.

• Icing. An ice pack may be applied to reduce pain and inflammation. Wrap the pack in a thin towel rather than placing ice directly on your skin.

• Injection therapy. Injections of corticosteroid may be used to treat the inflamed tissue around the joint.

• Orthotic devices. In some cases, custom orthotic devices may be recommended to minimize pressure to the area.

 

When Is Surgery Needed?
Surgery for Tailor's Bunion in Orange County is often considered when pain continues despite the above approaches. In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your case, your Orange County Foot and Ankle Surgeon will take into consideration the extent of the deformity based on the x-ray findings, your age, your activity level, and other factors. The length of the recovery period will vary slightly, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.

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Please contact our office in Irvine, Orange, or Huntington Beach in Orange County, CA to make an appointment with our foot and ankle surgeon / podiatrist (Dr. Coyer) to have your Tailor's Bunion deformity in Orange County fully evaluated and treated.