Definition
A bunionette is a painful lump at the base of the 5th toe. Over time, it causes the tip of the little toe to turn toward the other toes. Early treatment can improve outcomes.
Causes
Pressure to the area causes a bunionette. The most common cause is tight shoes that squeeze the toes. This is common in pointy shoes or those with a small toe box.
Bone spurs can also develop on the toe joint. The irritation from the bone spur can cause a bunionette.
Risk Factors
This problem is more common in women and older adults. It is also more common in people who have other family members with it. Genetics can cause bigger bone growth in this area. Bigger bones mean more pressure with shoes.
Symptoms
A bunionette is a red, swollen, and painful bump at the base of the 5th toe. The pain may be worse when wearing tight shoes.
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the foot. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to ease pressure on the bunionette and prevent it from getting worse. Options are:
Supportive Care
It is important to ease pressure on the bunion. This may be done with:
- Ice therapy to ease pain and swelling
- Padding
- Wearing shoes with a wide toe box
- Not wearing shoes with pointy toes or high heels
- Shoe inserts
Medicine
Medicine may be given to ease pain and swelling.
Surgery
People who are not helped by other methods may need surgery to remove the bony lump. The bones may need to be lined up again once the bump is removed.
Prevention
Some foot structure may be more likely to have problems than others. Proper fitting shoes may delay or prevent bunionette.
RESOURCES
American Podiatric Medical Association https://www.apma.org
OrthoInfo—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons https://www.orthoinfo.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
Ontario Podiatric Medical Association https://www.opma.ca
References
Bunionette deformity correction. FootCareMD—American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society website. Available at: https://www.footcaremd.org/conditions-treatments/toes/bunionette-deformity-correction . Accessed May 17, 2021.
Bunions and bunionettes. Harvard Health Publishing website. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/bunions-and-bunionettes-overview . Accessed May 17, 2021.
Hallux valgus and bunion. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hallux-valgus-and-bunion . Accessed May 17, 2021.
Tailor’s bunion (bunionette). Foot Health Facts—American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons website. Available at: https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/tailor-s-bunion-(bunionette). Accessed May 17, 2021.