A simple tailor’s bunion? That’s not always the case.

Tailor’s bunions - the 3-in-one problem

The term tailor's bunion (also called a bunionette) comes from a by-gone day when tailors would sit cross-legged on the floor putting up a hem on a skirt or coat.  Chronic pressure on the outside (lateral side) of the foot resulted in a sore spot overlying the 5^th metatarsal head.  The 5^th metatarsal is shaped a wee bit like a dog biscuit; long and slender in the middle and larger on the ends.  The larger, distal end of the 5^th metatarsal is called the 5^th metatarsal head.  The 5th metatarsal head is the location of a tailor’s bunion.

The most common contributing factor to a tailor’s bunion is lateral bowing of the 5^th metatarsal.  As the bone bows or moves away from the 4^th metatarsal, the 5^th toe has a tendency to be pulled back towards the 4^th toe by the extensor (top of the joint) and flexor (bottom of the joint) tendons.   The image to the right is a good example of this.  Under the text 'Tailor's bunion', you can clearly see the extensor tendon and how it is pulling in an eccentric direction.  The pulling on the toe results in poor alignment between the 4^th and 5^th toes.  This poor alignment often results in a soft corn between the toes or a Lister corn on the 5^th toe.  In the image at right, you can see how the 5^th metatarsal bows away from the 4^th metatarsal and the 5^th toe is placed in poor alignment with the 4^th toe.

Traditionally, a soft corn pad was used to separate the toes to treat a soft corn or Lister corn.  A separate gel or foam tailor's bunion pad was also necessary to protect the 5th metatarsal head.  The Visco-Gel® Little ToeBuddy Bunion Guard® is specifically designed to address both the tailor’s bunion (prominence of the 5^th metatarsal head) in combination with a soft corn or Lister corn of the toes.  The soft medical grade silicone gel toe pad stabilizes the toes and recreates proper alignment of the digits.  The Visco-Gel® Little ToeBuddy® Bunion Guard is durable and fits easily into all shoes.

The Visco-Gel® Little ToeBuddy Bunion Guard® is the 3-in-one solution, treating tailor's bunions, soft corns and Lister corns with one pad.

Jeff

Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM

Medical Advisor
Myfootshop.com

Updated 9/25/2020

Helpful Products

Soft Corn Pads

Soft Corn Pads slip gently between your toes to cushion painful corns and calluses. Great for relieving friction or rubbing between toes, pinching caused by overlapping toes, and pressure from adjacent toes and hammer toes. Non-adhesive. Universal right/left. By Myfootshop.com. 6/pkg.

As low as $5.06!

Gel Corn Protectors

Gel Corn Protectors slip on easily and stay in place all day long, padding your toes against friction while protecting and soothing painful corns. The soft elastic fabric sleeve contains a visco-gel cushion infused with mineral oil that works to soothe and soften sore corns. One universal size. By Myfootshop.com. 4/pkg.

As low as $8.46!

Lambs Wool Padding

Lambs Wool Padding is a classic treatment for a wide range of toe problems, including corns on the toes, hammer toes, fractured toes, and sweaty feet. Lambs wool is your 100% natural solution for treating toe issues, sourced from our own flock of sheep! By Myfootshop.com. ¾ oz./pkg.

As low as $5.06!

Visco-GEL® ToeBuddy® Bunion Guard

Visco-GEL® ToeBuddy® Bunion Guard & Little ToeBuddy® Bunion Guard separates toes, relieves pressure and corns between toes. Protects Hallux bunion, tailor's bunion, and bunionette pain. 1 per pack. Universal Right and Left. Choose Small for Tailor's or little toe bunion and Large for Hallux or big toe bunion. By PediFix.

As low as $10.16!