Most people think of a bunion as a bony protrusion at the base of a big toe. But there’s another condition known as Tailor’s bunion, which affects the little toe. Sometimes referred to as a bunionette, this misalignment occurs on the tiny bones of a small toe, shifting it outward or causing it to curl under an adjacent toe.
Although it’s on the short toe, a Tailor’s bunion can still be painful and affect how you stand and walk. If more conventional home remedies don't work to ease discomfort, the physicians at the Khosroabadi Institute specialize in a procedure called AMI-BUNIONETTE™, a minimally-invasive treatment for bunionette foot pain.
Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Bunionette Foot Pain
A bunionette may be caused by wearing shoes that are too small, inheriting a faulty mechanical foot structure, or both. Once a bunionette forms, high-heeled shoes that push feet forward or narrow or pointed-toe boxes rub against the misaligned bone and cause redness, swelling, and pain.
Bunionette treatment typically begins with nonsurgical therapies. For example, during your consultation with Dr. Khosroabadi, he’ll review your unique situation and determine if the following non-surgical options may alleviate the pain.
- Shoe modifications. Changing to shoes with wide toe boxes may make an immediate difference.
- Padding. Along with wiggle space in wider shoes, cushioned pads protecting the short toe joint may help reduce pain.
- Oral medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can relieve inflammation and pain.
- Icing. This is another effective method to decrease inflammation and ease pain. Wrap an ice pack in a thin towel rather than placing it directly on your skin.
- Injection therapy. Injections of corticosteroids may be used to treat the inflamed tissue around the joint.
- Orthotic devices. In some cases, a foot and ankle surgeon might recommend custom orthotic devices.
