Do Bunion Correctors and Guards Really Work? - Specialty Surgical Center (2024)

FAQs

Do Bunion Correctors and Guards Really Work? - Specialty Surgical Center? ›

Unfortunately, there is no medical research or data to support the claim that bunion correctors straighten the big toe. If your bunions are pretty severe, no plastic or elastic device is going to correct them. However, these correctors and splints may provide some pain relief to the big toe.

Perhaps the term of “bunion correctors” is slightly misleading as they do not actually correct bunions, rather prevents it from getting worse. The only way to really correct a bunion is by surgery. In most cases, this is a last resort for people who are in great pain and have severe deformity.

Over-the-counter, at-home treatments and tools such as bunion correctors do not work to permanently relieve pain associated with bunions – the only way to ensure fast, effective, and long-term relief is by undergoing surgery. Don't continue to ask yourself, “do bunion correctors work”!

This means that bunion correctors are going to need a longer time to help. You are going to need to persist with them for months to get any good affect. There is not going to be an overnight improvement. Persistence is the key here.

Will orthotics for tailor's bunion help? Orthotics can be useful in reducing the load at the site of the tailor's bunion to reduce symptoms and progression of the deformity. Orthotics will not correct the existing deformity this can only be achieved through surgery.

Caretras Bunion Corrector

If you're looking to help temporarily realign your bunion, consider using this corrector recommended by Sharkey. It helps relieve discomfort, pressure, and inflammation by constantly applying gentle pressure when on.

Other non-surgical treatments for bunions include injections of cortisone or oral anti-inflammatory medication and wearing custom-made shoes that accommodate the bunion deformity. Both help provides comfort and relieve pain, but do not reduce the abnormal angles that underlie the bunion deformity.

Bunions can be managed at home and with the help of a medical professional such as a podiatrist to reduce symptoms. Options include changing footwear if necessary, using pain relievers, doing bunion stretches, and even using nighttime splints. However, bunions don't shrink, dissolve, or reverse from these treatments.

During the first 10 days, wear it progressively (1 hour per day, 2 hours per day, then a few hours, etc.) and pull it backwards little by little to gently correct the big toe deformity. It can be worn as a preventive tool or over longer periods of treatment for hallux valgus.

When is the best time to wear bunion corrector? ›

Most bunion splints are to be worn while you are sleeping or lounging around the house, mainly because they are difficult to walk around in, and nearly impossible to fit inside a shoe! Nearly all podiatrists will agree that a bunion splint cannot stop you from forming bunions and it certainly will not cure them.

Remember to be patient with natural bunion treatment. It likely took decades for your bunion to develop and that change will not be reversed overnight. While some people may notice relief from pain right away, it could take weeks or even months to see the difference.

Bunions can be uncomfortable, and when left untreated, can become extremely painful and can prevent people from resuming daily activities such as walking, driving, or sleeping comfortably. Bunions that are left untreated cannot be reversed, and are likely to get worse with time.

“The first step to treating a tailor's bunion doesn't involve surgery,” Dr. Rottman said. “Non-surgical treatment involves wearing shoes that are very wide, wearing supportive shoes and/or inserts, placing padding over the area like moleskin or silicone and stretches to release tight calf muscles.”

Lapiplasty has been called a “paradigm shift ” in bunion correction surgery. The surgeon no longer has to cut freehand. A patented instrument holds the metatarsal bone in correct position in all three dimensions at the same time before the surgeon makes any cuts.