Tailor's bunion corrector: easing a bunionette on the little toe
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- Gel pinky toe sleeve (bunionette protector). Best for: A bump on the little toe side that rubs in shoes. See options on Amazon
- Donut or adhesive bunionette pads. Best for: Snug shoes where a sleeve is too bulky. See options on Amazon
- Silicone spacer for the fourth and fifth toes. Best for: A little toe that curls in and rubs its neighbour or forms soft corns. See options on Amazon
- Wide toe box shoes. Best for: Anyone with a painful bunionette. See options on Amazon
What a tailor's bunion is
Cleveland Clinic describes a tailor's bunion as a bony bump that forms at the base of the little toe where it meets the foot, on the outer edge of the fifth toe joint. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) calls it a prominence of the fifth metatarsal bone at the base of the little toe.
Symptoms include the bump itself, pain, pressure in shoes, swelling, redness, and corns or calluses on the little toe, according to Cleveland Clinic. ACFAS says it is often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot, and that shoes too narrow in the toe make it worse through constant rubbing and pressure. Cleveland Clinic also lists inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, and long periods of standing.
What a corrector can and cannot do
Products sold as tailor's bunion correctors are mostly pads, sleeves and spacers. They protect the bump and reduce friction. They do not move the fifth metatarsal back into line; ACFAS says surgery is considered when pain continues despite nonsurgical approaches.
| Type | What it does | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Gel pinky toe sleeve | Cushions the bump and the little toe against the shoe | Adds bulk on the outer edge of the shoe |
| Bunionette pad (adhesive or donut) | Spreads pressure around the bump | Adhesive can irritate skin |
| Toe spacer for the fourth and fifth toes | Stops the little toe rubbing its neighbour | Can crowd a narrow shoe |
| Little toe straightener or splint | Holds the little toe straighter while worn | Bulky; not proven to change the bone |
American Family Physician notes that donut pads are commonly used to redistribute contact forces away from a painful spot. That is the principle behind most bunionette pads.
Shoes do most of the work
- Wide, deep toe box. Cleveland Clinic says switching to shoes with wide, deep toe boxes can take pressure off your toes.
- Wide toe box, no points. ACFAS advises shoes with a wide toe box and avoiding pointed toes or high heels.
- Soft uppers on the outside edge. Seams or stiff leather over the little toe press straight on the bump.
- The widest part of the shoe at the widest part of the foot. American Family Physician says adequate room should be allowed across the ball of the foot.
- Stretch a favourite pair. A shoe stretcher with a spot attachment can relieve the exact point over the bump.
Other home care
Cleveland Clinic lists cold packs wrapped in a thin towel, anti-inflammatory pain relievers and shoe inserts among nonsurgical treatments, and says a provider may tape the toes into position. It also advises not taking NSAIDs for more than 10 days in a row without talking to your provider.
Corns and calluses on the little toe are common with a bunionette. Rather than cutting them yourself, use a pad that takes pressure off the area; ACFAS says bunionette pads placed over the area may help reduce pain. If the bunion is on the big toe side instead, see do bunion correctors work and bunion corrector sleeves.
What to look for when you buy
Gel pinky toe sleeve (bunionette protector)
Best for: A bump on the little toe side that rubs in shoes
Cleveland Clinic says over-the-counter pads cushion the area and relieve pressure; a sleeve keeps that cushion in place on the little toe.
Watch out: Adds width on the outside of the foot, so it needs a roomy shoe.
See options on AmazonDonut or adhesive bunionette pads
Best for: Snug shoes where a sleeve is too bulky
American Family Physician notes donut pads are used to redistribute contact forces away from a painful spot.
Watch out: Adhesive can irritate sensitive skin; remove it daily.
See options on AmazonSilicone spacer for the fourth and fifth toes
Best for: A little toe that curls in and rubs its neighbour or forms soft corns
Cleveland Clinic says a provider may suggest placing a spacer between your toes for a tailor's bunion.
Watch out: Choose a small size; a large spacer pushes the little toe harder into the shoe.
See options on AmazonWide toe box shoes
Best for: Anyone with a painful bunionette
Cleveland Clinic says wide, deep toe boxes take pressure off the toes, and ACFAS advises a wide toe box and avoiding pointed toes.
Watch out: Check the outer edge seams do not sit over the bump.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do tailor's bunion correctors work?
- They can make shoes more comfortable by cushioning the bump, but they do not reshape the bone. ACFAS says surgery is considered when pain continues despite nonsurgical care.
- What causes a tailor's bunion?
- ACFAS says it is often an inherited structure of the foot, made worse by shoes that are narrow in the toe. Cleveland Clinic also lists foot mechanics, inflammatory conditions and long periods of standing.
- What shoes are best for a tailor's bunion?
- Shoes with a wide, deep toe box, soft uppers and a low heel. Avoid pointed toes and high heels, as ACFAS advises.
- Can a tailor's bunion go away on its own?
- The bump itself does not go away, but pain often settles with roomier shoes and padding. See a provider if it keeps hurting.
Sources
- Tailor's Bunion (Bunionette): Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (my.clevelandclinic.org), Cleveland Clinic
- Tailor's Bunion (Bunionette) (foothealthfacts.org), American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (Foot Health Facts)
- Common Foot Problems: Over-the-Counter Treatments and Home Care (aafp.org), American Family Physician (AAFP)
- Diabetes - taking care of your feet (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus (NIH)