Tailor's Bunion Treatment: Non-Surgical and Surgical Options

A tailor's bunion is a bony bump on the outside of the foot, near the little toe. Non-surgical treatments are important for managing symptoms effectively:

1. Footwear Adjustments

• Wear Proper Shoes: Choose shoes with a wide toe box to reduce pressure on the bunion.
• Avoid High Heels: High heels can exacerbate the problem by putting more pressure on the bunion.
• Custom Orthotics: Use custom orthotic inserts to help redistribute pressure away from the bunion.

2. Padding and Taping

• Bunion Pads: Apply bunion pads to cushion the area and reduce friction.
• Toe Spacers: Use toe spacers to help keep toes aligned and relieve pressure.
• Taping: Tape your foot in a way that aligns the toe and reduces pressure on the bunion.

3. Lifestyle and Home Remedies

• Ice Therapy: Apply ice packs to the bunion for 15-20 minutes several times a day to reduce swelling.
• Anti-inflammatory Medications: Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Foot Exercises: Perform foot exercises that strengthen the muscles around the bunion and improve flexibility.

4. Professional Treatments

• Physical Therapy: Consult a physical therapist for exercises and treatments to alleviate symptoms.
• Corticosteroid Injections: In some cases, a doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce severe inflammation.
• Custom Orthotic Devices: See a podiatrist for custom-made orthotic devices that provide better support and alignment.

If non-surgical treatments are ineffective, consider discussing surgical options with a specialist.

Tailor's bunion surgery, also known as bunionette surgery, aims to correct a bony bump on the outside of the foot near the little toe. The procedure involves removing or reshaping the bone and soft tissue to reduce pain and improve foot function.

Types of surgery:

• Exostectomy: This involves removing the bony bump without correcting the underlying bone structure.
• Osteotomy: This involves cutting and realigning the bone to correct the bunionette.
• Arthroplasty: This involves reshaping the bone and removing part of the joint.
• Arthrodesis: This involves fusing the joint to correct severe deformities.

The surgery typically lasts between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type of procedure and severity of the bunionette.

Recovery can vary but generally takes about 6-8 weeks. Patients usually need to wear a special surgical shoe or boot for a few weeks. Physical therapy may be recommended to regain strength and mobility.

Risks include infection, nerve damage, and recurrence of the bunionette.

According to Wolters Kluwer Technology data, the recurrence rate of tailor's bunions after surgery is around 5-10%, with some studies suggesting up to 25% over a patient's lifetime​.