Tailor’s Bunion Treatment in Los Angeles

What Is a Tailor's Bunion?

A tailor’s bunion, sometimes called a tailor’s deformity or a bunionette, is a deformity involving the fifth long bone (metatarsal) and its relationship with the fourth long bone. There is a shift of the bones into an improper position, leading to pain and loss of function. The players involved in a tailor’s bunion are the fifth toe and the fifth metatarsal.

Over time, a tailor’s bunion forms when there is a shift or bend of the fifth metatarsal away from the fourth metatarsal and away from the rest of the foot (lateral). At the same time, the fifth toe will move out of its joint towards the fourth toe (medial). Now, the head of the fifth metatarsal bone is sticking out, leading to relieve pressure from shoes and the ground. This constant pressure and friction on the bone will cause extra bone to form, leading to the bump that is seen on the side of the foot getting larger. The fifth toe will continue to shift towards the fourth toe, causing an unbalanced joint.

If you’re experiencing a tailor’s bunion, you need to get the best tailor’s bunion treatment in Los Angeles from our expert team at Foot and Ankle Specialty Group in our state-of-the-art, conveniently located Beverly Hills facility.

Signs and Symptoms of a Tailor's Bunion

Not all tailors’ bunions are painful. Some individuals may have a severe deformity with no pain, while others with a mild deformity can experience significant discomfort. Common symptoms include:

• Pain and Discomfort:
  

• Deep ache and pain over the bony bump
  
• Pain in the joint
  
• Pain in the ball of the foot, just behind the fifth toe
  

• Skin and Nerve Irritation:Pain and Discomfort:
  

• Painful calluses (extra growth of hard skin)
  
• Inflammation of the bursa (gel-like sac between the bone and skin), leading to bursitis
  
• Numbness in the big toe from constant friction on the skin and nerve
  

• Additional Foot Complications:
  

• Development of a painful hammer toe of the fifth toe
  
• A bunion of the big toe (hallux abducto valgus) may occur alongside a tailor’s bunion
  

Causes of a Tailor’s Bunion

Tailor’s bunions are primarily a genetic deformity, meaning they are often inherited. However, certain factors can accelerate the development and severity of the condition, including:

• Foot Structure and Mechanics:Biomechanical issues, including:
  

• Flat feet (pronation): Instability and loose ligaments around the fifth metatarsal can lead to shifting
  
• High-arched feet (pes cavus, supination): Increased pressure on the outer foot makes a tailor’s bunion more likely
  

• Footwear Choices:
  

• High-heeled shoes with a small toe box push the fifth toe closer to the fourth, increasing pressure on the bunion
  

Diagnosing a Tailor's Bunion

Diagnosing a tailor’s bunion is a straightforward process that involves a clinical examination and imaging. Dr. Soomekh uses the following methods:

• Patient consultation: Listening to concerns, symptoms, and treatment goals
• Hands-on examination: Assessing the foot structure and evaluating gait
• In-office digital X-rays: Capturing detailed images to assess bone and joint positioning
• Deformity assessment: Determining the severity of the tailor’s bunion and any related issues

schedule now

Tailor's Bunion Treatment Options

Dr. Soomekh believes that early diagnosis and treatment of a tailor’s bunion are keys to successful treatment, faster recovery, and a pain-free lifestyle.

Conservative Treatment for Tailor’s Bunion

Conservative treatments rely on their ability to accommodate a tailor’s bunion deformity. This can be achieved by wearing appropriate shoes with a wide toe box. If the shoe has room for the protruding bone, there can be less pain and discomfort. Any painful calluses can be removed in the office and will need to be maintained, as they will return. Padding over the bump can take the pressure off the area. Ice and anti-inflammatories can reduce the irritation when there is a flare. Custom molded orthotics can be made as an important tool to slow the progression of the bunion and prevent recurrence after tailor’s bunion surgery.

Unfortunately, there really is no conservative way to stop a tailor’s bunion from forming or progressing, and there is no conservative way to reverse a tailor’s bunion. Braces and straps cannot reverse the malposition of the joints and bones.

Surgical Treatment for Tailor’s Bunion

Dr. Soomekh will always recommend and attempt conservative treatment when appropriate. However, when a tailor’s bunion deformity becomes painful and shoes are difficult to wear, surgical repair may be indicated.

Considering surgery can be intimidating. Foot surgery, including tailor’s bunion surgery in Los Angeles, should not be painful during recovery. When the skin and the soft tissues are handled with care and focus, most patients experience little to no pain immediately after surgery and throughout the recovery period. Dr. Soomekh takes great care and focus to minimize the chance of postoperative pain. The goal of a tailor’s bunion surgery is to realign the fifth metatarsal, remove the bump, alleviate pain, allow a return to normal shoes, and allow a return to all activities. Most procedures allow for immediate walking and a return to work while wearing a special walking boot. Dr. Soomekh performs the procedures in an outpatient setting at state-of-the-art facilities.

There are many different procedures and techniques for repairing a tailor’s bunion deformity. The surgeon is responsible for investigating each specific aspect of the bunion for each individual patient in order to formulate the proper procedure for repair. Dr. Soomekh will use the information gained from the patient’s symptoms, age, activity level, lifestyle goals, the severity of the deformity, the clinical examination, the patient’s gait, and the x-rays to make a recommendation on the proper procedure.

Mild Tailor's Bunion

In cases of mild deformity, a simple remedy is to remove the extra bone and protrusion of the head of the fifth metatarsal. A small incision is made on the side of the fifth toe joint and the metatarsal. The extra bump is removed. Dr. Soomekh will then close the skin using plastic surgery techniques.

Moderate to Severe Tailor’s Bunion