In a cartoon world, a bunionette would be the bunion’s cute female counterpart – complete with a polka-dot dress and a cute pink bow. In the sometimes harsh reality of our real world, however, bunionettes (also known as Tailor’s Bunions) are painful, bony protrusions that manifest on the outside of the little toe. Luckily though, bunionettes can potentially be prevented, and, if they’ve already appeared, there are a myriad of helpful treatment options.

 

What causes a bunionette?

Like bunions, bunionettes can be caused by wearing narrow shoes or high heels. These shoes squeeze your toes into a pointed box, putting pressure on the bony joints in your outer toes. Often, however, individuals can have a genetic predisposition to bunionettes. Some people’s feet naturally shift to protrude into a bunionette as they age.

 

Symptoms of bunionettes

Bunionettes start out as a mild bump on your little toe, with little to no noticeable pain. As the growth progresses though, the toes’ ligaments stretch and the tendons begin to pull away from the toes, causing the bump to enlarge and the bony protrusion to become inflamed. This can start to be quite painful! As the bunionette grows, the little toe becomes more crooked and shoes can become difficult to wear or walking can become uncomfortable.

 

How do you treat bunionettes?

Early treatment is always best, so if you notice a bump on your small toe, call your podiatrist! Prevention is the best treatment, so avoiding shoes that squeeze your feet and high heels is the best practice. Other treatment includes using an orthotic insert that can help correct the position of your foot. Padding, taping, or splinting the affected toe can also help to correct the position and reduce pain. Anti-inflammation drugs can help alleviate pain as well. 

For patients whose symptoms are severe enough that they have trouble performing day-to-day activities, surgery might be necessary. Surgery can correct misaligned bones, crooked toes, and help to address the large bump protruding from the foot. Most patients are able to walk after the procedure, but healing can take up to 8 weeks in most cases.

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we have treated bunionettes successfully for years. Dr. Adam Mucinskas has helped numerous patients resume their normal daily lives by working with their painful bunions. If you’re experiencing a painful protrusion on your feet, or any other foot or ankle issue, give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

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