Nonsurgical Treatment
Treatment for tailor’s bunion typically begins with nonsurgical therapies. Your foot and ankle surgeon may select one or more of the following:
- Shoe modifications - Choose shoes that have a wide toe box, and avoid those with pointed toes or high heels.
- Padding - Bunionette pads placed over the area may help reduce pain.
- Oral medications - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may help relieve the pain and inflammation.
- Icing - An ice pack may be applied to reduce pain and inflammation. Wrap the pack in a thin towel rather than placing ice directly on your skin.
- Injection therapy - Injections of corticosteroid may be used to treat the inflamed tissue around the joint.
- Orthotic devices - In some cases, custom orthotic devices may be provided by the foot and ankle surgeon.
When Is Surgery Needed?
Surgery is often considered when pain continues despite the above approaches. In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your case, the foot and ankle surgeon will take into consideration the extent of your deformity based on the x-ray findings, your age, your activity level and other factors. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.