What is a Tailors Bunion? The term "tailors bunion" is used to describe an enlargement of the 5th metatarsal phalangeal joint (the joint behind the 5th toe or smallest toe). Tailors bunions can occur  when a bunion is present (see above diagram) or they can occur alone.  The term "tailor's bunion" came about because in past times, tailors would sit with their legs crossed as they sewed clothes by hand, thereby placing abnormal pressure on the outside of the foot, and after a long period of time, painful symptoms and enlargement of the joint occurred. Their are four types of tailors bunions: 1) abnormal pressure over a normal metatarsal; 2) wide or enlarged metatarsal head; 3) bending or bowing of the 5th metatarsal; 4) arthritis (usually rheumatoid arthritis) involving the metatarsal head.

 

What Is The Treatment For Tailors Bunion?

• The treatment of abnormal pressure over a normal metatarsal head is obviously to eliminate the abnormal pressure by wearing shoes that are wider or more rounded in the toe.
• Temporary relief can be obtained by use of oral anti-inflammatory medication and injections. Long term relief is usually obtained with surgical correction.
• When the above measures fail to give relief, surgical correction is indicated.

Until recently, surgery for this condition simply involved removing the outside portion of the 5th metatarsal head (see diagram on the left below), or the entire metatarsal head was removed. Although effective, these procedures often led to a long recovery period and, in some conditions, the problem was not completely corrected. Recently, I devised a new procedure for the correction of Tailors Bunion. This procedure involves the use of an osteotomy (or cut through the bone) which allows the metatarsal head to be rotated into the correct alignment (see diagram on the right below). The osteotomy is held together with two special titanium screws designed to be contained within the bone.  The head and tip of the screws do not protrude and therefore are much less likely to need to be removed at a later date. This procedure eliminates the pressure over the metatarsal head, which results in a more pronounced narrowing of the foot and a much better cosmetic and functional result than through previous procedures.

                                                

Tailors Bunionectomy Corrected by Bone Removal             Tailors Bunion And Bunion Corrected With Osteotomies