Are Bunionettes Easier to Manage Than Bunions?

Most of us have heard of bunions, those painful lumps that form at the base of the big toe. But not everyone has heard of bunionettes, a similar type of deformity that occurs on the other side of the foot — at the base of the little toe.

Both types of deformity can cause significant discomfort, making it hard to find shoes that fit comfortably. Because they tend to be smaller, it’s logical to think managing a bunionette is easier than managing a bunion — but is that true?

At Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, Joel S Segalman, FACFAS, FACFAO, and Stephen Lazaroff, DPM, FACFAS, offer advanced treatment options for both bunions and bunionettes, helping patients find much-needed relief. Here’s what to know about both conditions and how to manage them.

Bunions vs. bunionettes: what to know

Both bunions and bunionettes form from excess pressure on the toe joint that’s in the deformity. Common causes include shoes that don’t fit, unusual foot anatomy or gait patterns, or lifestyle issues, like spending a lot of time on your feet. Inflammatory conditions like arthritis can also lead to bunions and bunionettes, like some foot injuries.

In both conditions, the deformity occurs when pressure on the side of the toe causes it to move inward. Over time, continued pressure gradually forces the joint at the base of the toe to shift out of its normal alignment, creating the characteristic bump and causing pain and stiffness.

Bunions and bunionettes also become common with age, and both can be treated, fortunately. The type of treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and the amount of joint deformity.

It’s tempting to think that because a bunionette is smaller than a bunion, it’s easier to manage, but that’s a matter of perspective. If you have a very painful, advanced bunionette, it can require more extensive treatment, just like a large bunion. What’s true is that both respond best to early treatment focused on the underlying cause. 

Treatment options for long-term relief

Bunions tend to cause more pain than bunionettes because they affect a larger joint that’s involved in balance and mobility. As a result, many people can manage bunionettes more effectively with conservative treatments, like taping, hot and cold therapy, and massage.

While both conditions can respond well to conservative treatments when addressed early, more severe conditions may require surgery to realign the joints. Once again, the surgery involved in repositioning a bunion can be more complex than the surgery used to treat a bunionette. 

Bottom line: Without medical treatment, bunions and bunionettes can worsen over time and cause considerable discomfort and deformity. To learn how our team can help, request an appointment online or over the phone with the Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists team in Waterbury and Newtown, Connecticut, today.