What is a tailor's bunion?
A tailor's bunion, also called a bunionette, is a prominence of the fifth metatarsal bone at the base of the little toe. Unlike a traditional bunion, which forms on the inside edge of the foot at the big toe joint, a tailor's bunion develops on the outside edge of the foot.
The name comes from tailors of centuries past, who traditionally sat cross-legged while they worked. This position placed constant friction and pressure on the outer edge of the foot, and over time it produced a painful bump — giving the condition its name. Today, tailor's bunions are most often related to foot structure and footwear rather than occupation.
What are the symptoms of a tailor's bunion?
The primary symptoms of a tailor's bunion are redness, swelling, and pain at the site of the bony enlargement on the outside of the foot. Symptoms typically flare when shoes press against the prominence and irritate the surrounding soft tissue. Common signs include:
- A visible bump on the outer edge of the foot near the little toe
- Redness and warmth over the bump
- Swelling around the fifth metatarsal head
- Pain that worsens with tight or narrow shoes
- Thickened skin, callus, or irritation over the prominence
What causes a tailor's bunion, and who is at risk?
Tailor's bunions most often develop because of an inherited foot structure in which the fifth metatarsal bone gradually protrudes outward while the little toe drifts inward. A bony spur can also develop on the head of the fifth metatarsal, adding to the prominence. Because this alignment tendency tends to run in families, a family history of bunions or bunionettes raises your risk.
Tight, narrow, or pointed footwear does not cause the underlying bone structure, but it does aggravate symptoms by creating pressure and friction directly over the bump. Because both traditional bunions and tailor's bunions share similar structural causes, we often see them evaluated together; learn more about our approach to bunion removal for the more common big-toe bunion.
How do we diagnose a tailor's bunion?
Tailor's bunions are easily diagnosed because the bony protrusion is visually apparent during a physical examination. Your podiatrist will assess the size and position of the prominence and check for associated redness, swelling, or skin changes.
X-rays are typically used to evaluate the severity of the deformity and to identify the underlying bone alignment causing it. This imaging helps determine whether conservative measures are likely to be effective or whether surgical correction may eventually be needed.
How is a tailor's bunion treated?
Most tailor's bunions can be managed successfully with conservative measures that reduce pressure and irritation on the bump. Surgery is reserved for cases that do not respond to nonsurgical care.
Nonsurgical treatment
- Footwear changes to shoes with a wide toe box that avoid pressure on the bump
- Padding placed over the bony prominence to cushion it inside the shoe
- NSAIDs such as ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation
- Ice therapy, applied with a towel or cloth barrier to protect the skin
- Corticosteroid injections for stubborn inflammation
- Custom orthotic devices to correct underlying foot mechanics contributing to the deformity
Surgery
Surgery becomes an option when conservative treatments fail to relieve pain. The specific procedure depends on the extent of the deformity as well as the patient's age and activity level, and generally involves reshaping or repositioning the fifth metatarsal bone to remove the prominence and correct the alignment. Our surgeons will explain the recommended approach and what recovery will involve for your specific case.
What is recovery from a tailor's bunion like?
For patients managed without surgery, symptom relief often comes with consistent use of wider footwear and protective padding, and improvement can be felt relatively quickly once pressure on the bump is reduced. Long-term comfort typically depends on continuing to choose accommodating shoes.
If surgery is performed, recovery involves a period of protected weight-bearing in a surgical shoe or boot, followed by a gradual return to regular footwear and activity as the bone heals. Your surgeon will provide a specific recovery timeline based on the procedure performed.
When should you see a podiatrist for a tailor's bunion?
See a podiatrist if you notice a painful, red, or swollen bump on the outside of your foot near the little toe, especially if it limits the shoes you can wear comfortably. Early evaluation can help you find effective conservative measures before the irritation becomes chronic.
You should also seek care if the area becomes increasingly painful, shows signs of infection, or does not improve despite footwear changes and padding. You can request an appointment at either of our Northern Utah offices.
Why choose Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute?
Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute is a locally rooted podiatry practice serving Farmington, South Ogden, and the surrounding Davis and Weber County communities. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians treat the full range of forefoot deformities, from tailor's bunions and traditional bunions to hammertoes.
That focus lets us offer complete tailor's bunion care under one roof — from footwear and orthotic guidance to surgical correction when conservative care isn't enough — so your treatment can advance without a referral elsewhere. Learn more about our Farmington and South Ogden locations or call the office nearest you.
Medically reviewed by the physicians at Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatrists provide foot and ankle care in Farmington and South Ogden, Utah. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation.