Bunionette

Abstract

The bunionette, or tailor's bunion, is a painful osseous prominence on the lateral aspect of the head of the fifth metatarsal. This prominence occurs in many individuals but seldom causes symptoms. Orthotic devices may be useful if a symptomatic bunionette results from excessive pronation of the subtalar joint. Operative management to decrease the width of the foot and the osseous prominence is indicated when nonoperative treatment can no longer control symptoms and when the patient has special demands, particularly in sports. A proximal osteotomy is able to correct most deformities. A distal osteotomy is recommended if medial translation of the head for one-third of the width of the metatarsal shaft produces a normal fourth-fifth intermetatarsal angle.