Can you prevent bunion surgery with bunion correctors? Well, the answer is no. While this device can help to realign your big toe, it won’t cure it; though it can help lower the pain and discomfort. So, should you consider it? Learn how bunion correctors actually work to treat bunions in this article. Visit the best Podiatry Department in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org.
What are Bunion Splints?
A bunion splint or corrector is an orthotic device to realign your big toe. It has several different types including rigid, hinged, and soft designs. It uses strapping and padding to wrap around your toe and foot to pull your big toe, make it straighter, and relieve the pain and pressure of your bunion. They’re usually worn at night or during periods of rest during the day.
Bunion splints come in different shapes and sizes; you can talk with your podiatrist to choose the one that fits you properly. The two most common types of bunion splints are:
- Soft gel splints: These are very durable and comfortable to use. They promote healing and lower swelling.
- Rigid plastic splints: These splints can increase the support to the MTP joint. Many advanced models also have a hinge to fit your precise foot shape, using a 3-point pressure system to slow progression. It also contains foam to provide comfort and protection for the bunion.
Additionally, with bunion splints, you can try toe spacers. These devices fit between the big and second toes to prevent further drift. Like splints, they don’t produce long-term results but stop the callus formation (when the big toe rubs against the second toe) and lower bunion progression.
Do they work?
Yes, Bunion splints work well for mild to moderate bunions because these devices are not used to solve the problem completely but to lower big toe joint inflammation. This device is made of plastic, metal, or cloth to reduce discomfort and pressure and make walking easier. These aren’t solely for support, but they put bunions under gentle pressure to promote healing and reduce swelling. However, don’t expect substantial change. The main function of bunion splints is to prevent bunion progression and help maintain correction postoperatively along with ensuring tendons, ligaments, and bones heal. You can get comparable results from toe spacers. However, other devices like orthotic and shoe modifications, and bunion splints can relieve pain and discomfort significantly.
Few studies on the potential benefit of bunion correctors for reducing pain exhibit that they’re unlikely to have any big effect or cause long-term results. In a small 2020 study, a group of 70 people with bunions were treated with a toe splint or with no treatment. They found no big difference in alignment between these groups. However, researchers found people in the splint group experience less pain during walking, running, or at rest. Equivalent results were found in other studies.
Bunion splints are recommended to protect your bunion and reduce pain. This is given at an early stage, to realign your big toe. At an advanced stage, bunion protectors are recommended for pain relief in the shoes and orthopedic insoles to distribute pressure better.
You need to use corrective splints daily during the night or resting periods. For the first 3 days, you only need to wear them for 2 hours. After one month, the heat-molding process gets renewed to increase the correction, if needed. If you feel joint pain come in the first days of use or after several weeks, talk with your podiatrist. The day bunion corrector needs to be worn during the periods of daily activity. To use bunion sprints for sports activities, you need to choose a bunion brace for sport. Wearing the bunion support regularly is necessary to get its benefits. During the first 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks), wear it progressively like 1 hour per day, 2 hours per day, then a few hours, etc. Pull it backward little by little to gently fix the big toe deformity. It can be used as a preventive tool or for less invasive treatment for bunions.
How do Bunion Correctors WWork?
The bunion corrector aims to straighten your big toe and return it to its natural position. It comes in various designs and fits over the part of your foot like a sleeve and has a spacer that fits between your big toe and second toe. Some bunion correctors are splints that help the toe straighten by supporting it from the side. Splints usually don’t fit in the shoes and are designed to be worn overnight. Bunion correctors help the toe get back into its natural position by forcing it backward, which is similar to how braces work to shift the teeth over time. However, there’s no evidence present that bunion correctors are effective at changing the angle of your toe or getting rid of bunions. Limited evidence shows that they might reduce the progress of bunions and provide pain relief, but more research is needed.
Bunion correctors might work to treat mild to moderate bunions, but it is not a good option to treat all bunion cases. It won’t cure bunions but can give temporary pain relief. So, you can consider them if your doctor advises you to manage your bunions to improve your pain and discomfort. More research is needed to understand how effective this device is.
If you need help with bunions, visit our podiatry clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!! Doral Health & Wellness employs Podiatrists with extensive education and expertise. Trauma to the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot is quite common. It’s not a good idea to put off seeing Foot Doctor Brooklyn until you are in a lot of pain. Our address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, New York, NY 11212. To make an appointment, please call +1-718-367-2555 or send an email toinfo@doralhw.org.
