Bunionette (Tailor’s Bunion)
A bunionette is a painful bony prominence on the outer side of the foot at the base of the little toe (fifth metatarsal head). Symptoms usually arise due to pressure from footwear.
Symptoms
- Visible lump on the outer border of the foot
- Pain when wearing tight or narrow shoes
- Little or no discomfort when barefoot
Investigations
- Weight-bearing plain X-rays are usually sufficient to confirm the diagnosis and assess alignment
Treatment
Non-operative management
- Footwear modification, particularly wide toe-box shoes
- Padding or protective sleeves
This relieves symptoms in the majority of patients.
Surgical management
Considered if symptoms persist despite conservative measures.
- Minimally invasive (keyhole-assisted) corrective procedure
- Typically performed as a day-case operation
- Immediate full weight-bearing allowed in a post-operative shoe
The aim of surgery is to remove the prominence and realign the bone to relieve pressure and prevent recurrence.
