5. Bunion Splints– Yes, you have seen the commercials and the ads for bunion splints, how, if you just apply this splint your toe will straighten and your bunion will disapear. The problem with bunion splints is that a bunion is a problem of the bones and their angle. Additionally, Hallux Valgus develops due to biomechanical abnormalities. Those are two main issues with Hallux Valgus that bunion splints are incapable of correcting. What a bunion splint will do is hold your toe in a corrected position while you are wearing the splint. But the minute you remove the bunion splint, the deformity will reappear. I suggest buying an inexpensive bunion splint. There are many different brands to choose from. All the bunion splints do essentially the same thing. So choose the bunion splint that you feel you will be able to tolerate.
4. Orthotics– Many Bunions develop due to overpronation. The fact is biomechinical abnormalities lead to bunion deformities. Orthotics can correct biomechanic abnormalities, and in theory can slow the progression of a bunion. However, this has not been proven and is just conjecture. Also, orthotics do not correct the bunion itself, the position of the toe, or the boney prominence. So overall orthotics are limited as a treatment for Hallux Valgus or bunion deformity. Here are some inexpensive orthotics that may help. You can also see a podiatrist to get custom orthotics made for your feet as well.
3. Wider Shoes– Yes, such a simple treatment, but very effective. The majority of the pain from a bunion occurs due to shoe pressure against the boney prominence. This shoe pressure can also impinge on the nerve as well as inflame the bursa present with the bunion. Sometimes wider shoes, while they will not do anything to help the bunion, can alleviate the symptoms. A lot of shoe and sneaker companies sell shoes in widths. New Balance is one.
2. Padding– Similar to the wider shoes, padding will decrease pressure on the boney prominence of the bunion and thus decrease the pain. Generally, pads are inexpensive and can last a long time. The downside is again, pads only alleviate symptoms. They cannot correct osseous deformity. Here are some sample Bunion Pads.
1. Surgery- Seriously, the only thing that corrects a bunionis surgery. Go see a Podiatrist. Bunions are most podiatrists’ speciality. The surgeries tend to have success rates in the 90th percentile. Bunion surgery is a safe, same day procedure which will require you to be on crutches for two to six weeks. Just call your local Podiatrist to make an appointment and get your bunion fixed. However, if you do not want to have surgery, you may use the treatments listed above.