Bunionette

progressive pain over the lateral aspect of the 5^th MT head

exacerbated by shoe wear, relived by avoiding pressure over the area

RX:shoe wear modifications.  OR;lateral exostectomy

Coughlin MJ: Etiology and treatment of the bunionette deformity.  ICL XXXIX. 1990, 37-48

 

 In one study, a normal intermetatarsal angle between the fourth and fifth metatarsals measured 6.2 degrees, whereas it measured 9.6 degrees in patients with symptomatic bunionettes.  If there is no increase in the intermetatarsal angle> simple resection of the lateral exostosis (condyle) is indicated.  Resection of the fifth metatarsal head and resection of the base of the fifth proximal phalanx are contraindicated. Coughlin MJ: Treatment of bunionette deformity with longitudinal diaphyseal osteotomy with distal soft tissue repair.  Foot Ankle 1991;11:195-203.

Kitaoka HB, Holiday AD Jr: Lateral condylar resection for bunionette.  Clin Orthop 1992;278:183-192.