TAILOR'S BUNION - CAUSES AND TREATMENT
posted: Aug. 10, 2018.
As the name would suggest, tailor's bunions were named years ago when tailors were common. Tailors often sat cross-legged on hard surfaces so they could work more efficiently which lead to the formation of a bunion. Today, tailor's bunions are mostly influenced by poorly fitting shoes and structural problems in the feet.
A tailor’s bunion, also called a bunionette, is a bony lump that forms along the side of the little toe. It is similar to the one that happens near your big toe however, it happens when the fifth metatarsal bone enlarges or shifts outward instead of the first. The fifth metatarsal is the very bottom bone on the little toe. A bunion can be painful, especially if it rubs against your shoe.
- poorly fitted shoes
- a foot that leans to the outside (inverted foot)
- loose ligaments in your foot
- lower-than-normal fifth metatarsal bone
- tight calf muscles
- Wear shoes that are flexible and have a wide toe box. Avoid wearing narrow, pointed shoes and high heels.
- Hold ice to your foot for 5 to 10 minutes up to 3 times per day.
- Put a silicone bunion pad over the tailor’s bunion to relieve pain and prevent the bunion from rubbing against your shoe.
