Bunionette Deformity Correction

​What is a bunionette?

A bunionette deformity is an abnormal bony protuberance, or bump, on the outer (lateral) side of the fifth toe or metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ). This problem can start out as small and painless, but then become larger and more 

painful over time. When bunionettes become larger, it is usually because of growth of the protuberance, a curved shape to the fifth MTPJ, or both. The condition is sometimes called a tailor's bunion.

What are the goals of bunionette treatment?

The first way that patients are treated for their bunionette is nonsurgically. This can include wearing different shoes that are roomier, padding the fifth toe, and using special or custom-made inserts in the shoe. All of these are designed to reduce the discomfort over the prominent fifth toe or MTPJ.

If the bunionette’s symptoms do not improve with nonsurgical treatments, surgery may be needed. The goals of surgery are to decrease the fifth toe’s protuberance and deformity and to decrease pain.

What signs indicate surgery might be needed?

If you have pain at your bunionette, if you cannot wear comfortable shoes because of the size of your bunionette, or if you continue to have problems after receiving nonsurgical treatment, surgery may be an option.

When should I avoid surgery?

Surgically treating a bunionette deformity is not recommended if you have an infection at the fifth toe or bunionette deformity, or if you have poor circulation in your foot. Poor circulation can cause problems with bone and/or wound healing after surgery.

General Details of Procedure

Most times, bunionette surgery is an outpatient surgery. This means that patients come to the hospital or surgical center for surgery and then leave after surgery on that same day. At the very least, the surgery involves removing the protruding soft tissue and bone of the bunionette. Some patients may also need a cut in the bones (osteotomy) of the fifth toe to straighten it out when it is curved. Your surgeon will explain what kind of surgery is needed for you and why.

After the surgery, patients may need to stay off of their operated foot with no putting weight on it for a period of weeks. Patients may also need to wear a device on their foot to keep it protected after surgery. These devices can include a splint made of plaster, a boot around the leg or a hard-soled surgical shoe. The specific amount of time a patient’s foot is kept protected after surgery depends on the type of surgery and the surgeon’s wishes.

Specific Techniques

The most common reason that bunionettes develop or become painful is wearing shoes that are too narrow or tight in the toes (toe box). To fully decrease the pain, irritation and swelling, either before or after surgery, roomy, comfortable shoes are recommended.

If surgery is needed, several different types are an option. The actual type of surgery to be performed depends on the shape of the fifth toe bones, type of bunionette and patients’ wishes. 

• If patients have a painful fifth toe protuberance without a bony growth, the surgery usually involves a removal of the painful soft tissue of the fifth toe. Specifically, what is removed from the outer fifth toe is the excess skin and the joint’s inflamed soft tissue or bursa.
• Patients with a Type 1 bunionette deformity have a bony protuberance at the fifth MTPJ. During surgery, this bony growth is also removed. Some surgeons call this a bunionectomy.
• Sometimes the bony protuberance is so big that the bones of the fifth toe need an osteotomy. With the bone cut, it is then moved inward to decrease its size (see X-rays above).   
• If patients have a curved shape to their fifth toe (Type 2 bunionette) or angle (Type 3 bunionette) between the fourth and fifth toes, then an osteotomy is often done. This osteotomy is done to straighten out the fifth toe.
• If a bunionette deformity is treated with an osteotomy, the bone is often held straight with a steel wire, screw, or plate and screws, depending on the surgeon’s preference.  

What happens after surgery?

Full recovery after treatment of bunionettes is different based on the treatment. A three- to six-month period of nonsurgical treatment should be tried since many symptoms can improve this way.

Most surgical treatments need some period of foot protection in a surgical shoe, boot or splint. This time frame is usually between three to 12 weeks. The specific time for recovery after surgery depends on the type of surgery and the surgeon’s experience.

You will be asked to elevate your foot above the level of your chest for the first weeks after surgery. You may also be asked to use crutches or a walker depending on your activity level.

Your stitches are usually taken out two to three weeks after surgery. You will be asked to not soak your foot or get the surgical area wet until your stitches are out.

Your doctor may ask you to do certain knee and ankle exercises at home after surgery. This can help maintain your joint motion and flexibility. If your doctor thinks that you need formal physical therapy after surgery, he or she will discuss that with you.

Swelling is the last thing to improve for most patients after bunionette surgery. It can take three to 12 months for your foot’s swelling to completely improve after surgery.

Potential Complications

There are complications that relate to surgery in general. These include the risks associated with anesthesia, infection, damage to nerves and blood vessels, and bleeding or blood clots.

Potential complications after bunionette surgery are rare. Possible problems include bleeding from the wound, injured nerves around the fifth toe, poor wound healing or bone healing if an osteotomy is done, and the possibility of the bunionette coming back.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have bunionette deformity being treated without surgery, can I ever wear high heels and pointed shoes?

Wear narrow-toe shoes as little as possible. This does not mean that you cannot ever wear these shoes. It means that the time you wear these shoes should be limited in order to decrease fifth toe pain and the chances that the bunionette will get worse.

If I’m treated with surgery, will the deformity come back?

Most bunionettes do not come back after being treated with the right type of surgery. The surgery removes the underlying cause of the problem. However, wearing shoes that are too narrow can still cause irritation and inflammation at the operated fifth toe.

Resources

Looking for information on bunions? Click here. 

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) offers information on this site as an educational service. The content of FootCareMD, including text, images and graphics, is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnoses or treatments. If you need medical advice, use the "Find an Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon" tool at the top of this page or contact your primary doctor.

​​​​​​​​​​​​