A tailor’s bunion, or a bunionette as it’s sometimes called, is a painful, bony lump that forms on the side of the foot. Unlike a “typical” bunion, though, tailor’s bunions form on the other side of the foot –– at the base of the small toe. While tailor’s bunions are less common than regular bunions, they, unfortunately, are similar in a number of ways. Indeed, tailor’s bunions often form as a result of pressure placed on the bones of the foot. This may occur as a result of wearing tight-fitting shoes, or certain genetic conditions may predispose a person to developing them. Today, we’ll review three common tailor’s bunion treatments and explain what you can do if you’re dealing with this problem:

Home Tailor’s Bunion Treatments

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of enduring a large bunion, then you know just how painful it can be. In some instances, bunions may be so painful that people need some form of treatment administered ASAP. The good news here is that there are a number of treatments you can apply at home that could –– at least temporarily –– lessen bunion pain and reduce swelling. Some common treatment ideas include:

  • Bunion pads or cushions –– some bunion pads can provide pain relief by preventing the bunion from rubbing directly against the shoe.
  • Apply an ice pack to the bunion for five-to-ten minutes. This can help reduce the swelling, particularly if the bunion is throbbing.
  • Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen to cut down on the pain.

Though these methods might prove helpful in a jam, they won’t reduce the bunion or cure the problem in any permanent way. These are not long-term solutions.

Surgical Treatments

The only way to get rid of a bunion for good is to undergo surgery. Now, generally speaking, there are two types of bunion surgery: traditional and minimally invasive.

During a traditional bunionectomy, one of the many types of tailor’s bunion treatments, the surgeon will make a large incision on the side of the foot, remove the bunion, and attempt to realign the foot. The downsides of this surgery are numerous, though. For one, recovery time is extensive –– sometimes lasting for as long as six months. Secondly, traditional bunion surgery may leave unsightly scarring along the foot. And some patients have experienced severe pain after the procedure.

By contrast, minimally invasive surgery is much less harrowing. During a minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon will only make several very minute incisions to remove the bunion. This significantly reduces scarring and recovery time. Plus, the surgery is an outpatient procedure, which means that most patients are able to drive home that very day and engage in light activity (walking) almost immediately.

Preventative Treatments for Tailor’s Bunions

Once a bunion forms, it tends only to get worse over time. On a positive note, there are a few things you can do to prevent the formation of regular and tailor’s bunions in the future. Some best practices include:

  • Stretching and exercising your foot muscles regularly.
  • Investing in comfortable, supportive shoes that don’t place pressure on the feet.
  • Avoiding tight-fitting shoes –– high heels in particular.
  • Monitoring foot health closely.

Contact Us

Northwest Surgery Center is a leading provider of minimally invasive bunion surgeries. Our expert team has years of experience in this field, and we can help you address common foot pain issues effectively and quickly. Contact us here for more information or to schedule a consultation today!