Tailor’s Bunion

This deformity consists of the deviation of the base of the 5th metatarsal bone outwardly of the 5th toe medially. The Tailor’s Bunion is so called due to the position that tailors adopt with their legs crossed and the sides of the feet slightly touching the floor throughout the day. This slight touching causes the deformity. This pathology is not as common as traditional bunions, but is equally painful.

This pathology causes a side growth of the head of the 5th metatarsal bone, an exostosis (excessive and irregular bone growth) and a medial deviation of the 5th toe. This protrusion is due to a bone hypertrophy, this causes an irritation of the soft tissue, causing a bursitis in the joint which can be extremely painful and prevent putting on shoes comfortably.

A Tailor’s bunion mainly occurs due to genetic factors, which induces the bone deformity. The type of footwear used can also contribute to aggravating this condition. The main symptom is lateral, dorsal or plantar foot pain. Reddening and swelling signs present in the area of the bunion. The diagnosis is performed visually and confirmed by means of X-rays to evaluate the degree of the deformity.

Conservative treatment is rather limited and consists of protecting the area with protective pads and the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and inflammation. There is now a definitive surgical solution for this deformity which consists of performing ambulatory surgery with minimal incision techniques using local anesthesia. The patient’s problem is thus solved and his/her working life is not interrupted.