How to Choose Shoes for Tailors Bunions

A Tailor's bunion is a condition that occurs to the fifth metatarso-phalangeal joint (the joint below the little toe). The deformity results in a bony prominence at the side of the foot, and the little toe may cross over the other toes. The front of the foot becomes wider and can be difficult to fit into shoes. It is called a Tailor's bunion as it was previously commonly seen in tailors who knelt cross-legged on the floor while they worked, placing pressure on the outside of their feet. This article will help you choose a shoe if you have a Tailor's bunion.

Things You'll Need

• A specialist shoe store

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Instructions

• 1

  Have both feet measured. You may have a Tailor's bunion in just one foot, or it may be worse in one foot, making your feet different sizes from each other. Always buy shoes to fit the larger or wider foot.

• 2

  Find a shoe with a lace or a strap. The laces can be adjusted to allow more room in the front of the shoe to accommodate your wide foot. A lace or a strap also holds your foot in place so that it does not slip forwards in the shoe. You'll want the widest point of your foot to correspond to the widest part of the shoe. If your foot slips forward, your Tailor's bunion will be irritated and the deformity may worsen.

• 3

  Avoid shoes with stitching, straps or seams that run across the Tailor's bunion. This will only add pressure to a susceptible area and can cause corns, calluses or bruises.

• 4

  Think of wearing an open-toed shoe in the warmer weather. Choose a sandal with no material over the Tailor's bunion, but with a good ankle strap for support.

• 5

  Look for elastic uppers for the front area of the shoe. Elastic can stretch and will accommodate any toe deformities.

• 6

  Visit a specialist shoe store that stocks wider fitting shoes. Often with a Tailor's bunion, you have a narrow heel and a wide forefoot, so a specialist shoe store will be more likely to find a shoe that fits you well.

• 7

  Take your new shoes to a podiatrist if you are unsure about the fit. They may be able to adjust them slightly by placing padding in the shoe, or allow the shoes to be adjusted by a prosthetic or orthotic device. In some cases, the shoe can be stretched over the area that corresponds to the deformity. The podiatrist may refer you to a shoe maker to have a pair of shoes made specifically to your measurements.