(860) 632-5499
Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416
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At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we find many patients are not familiar with tailor’s bunions, also called bunionettes. This type of bunion develops at the base of the little toe at the end of the fifth metatarsal head. It gets its name from what was once an occupational hazard for tailors. Long ago, tailors would sit cross-legged all day while doing their work. The constant rubbing of the outside of the little toe on the ground would result in a painful bump forming at the base of the toe. Although less common than traditional bunions, which manifest on the outside of the big toe, tailor’s bunions have similar symptoms, including pain, redness, and swelling at the site of the protrusion.
Similar to regular bunions, tailor’s bunions cause considerable pain when they rub up against your shoes. While faulty foot structure may be the root cause of a tailor’s bunion, your shoes can play a big role in the progression of this condition. Choosing styles with a roomy, wide toe box, and avoiding high heels with pointy toe area is highly recommended. You may also want to use padding to help protect and cushion the bunionette. Over time, the constant friction from footwear may lead to secondary problems like corns.
If you believe you have a tailor’s bunion forming, it’s important you make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499 and have it evaluated by our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. The foot doctor may also suggest other treatment options, such as:
If none of these treatments are successful in relieving the discomfort of a tailor’s bunion, the podiatrist may recommend surgery to correct the deformity. As with all progressive conditions, it’s best to examine your feet regularly and report significant changes to your foot doctor promptly.
Your toes are pretty amazing. Check them out! They cooperate together to help your body balance – if you were missing just one toe, you’d have to relearn how to do most activities. Can you imagine trying to dance without your big toe? It would be tough! That’s not to say that people don’t master those skills if they are missing a toe for whatever reason. Occasionally toes must be amputated because of injuries, infections, or diabetic complications. In those cases, a podiatrist can often build a custom orthotic to assist in “replacing” the lost toes.
Your toes are important and it’s important to take care of them. Check out some of the things that could happen if you don’t take proper care:
Most of these toe issues can be prevented with a little extra vigilance and care for your toes. If you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort, or have noticed any changes in the skin or nail quality on your toes, we can help. Dr. Adam Mucinskas stays abreast of the latest technologies and treatments in podiatric medicine and can help get you on the path to healthy toes, feet, and ankles. To schedule an appointment at our convenient Cromwell, CT office, request one online or call us today at 860-632-5499.
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.
Questions or Comments?
We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416