bunion corrector

These are splints or braces that you are supposed to wear at night and are claimed by those who sell them to correct the bunion (or more appropriately called ‘hallux valgus’). If you look at the pictures of them, it is easy to see how they might do that. The question then becomes, do bunion correctors work?

Thinking about the physics and biomechanics, it is easy to see how the brace could try to correct the position of the toe during the night. The only problem with that thought is that the next day you have all the forces of weightbearing and the footwear pushing the toe back the other way. It is probably likely that those forces easily overcome any correction that may have occurred over night, at least theoretically.

What does the actual evidence say? One study has shown that they do actually work. They showed an improvement of a few degrees after a few months of use, which seems a good outcome. However, what the study did not show (and no other study has looked at) is that if there is any more improvement if it is used for longer or if the improvement is maintained if use of the bunion corrector is stopped. Based on this it is hard to give advice on if the bunion correctors do work at improving the angle of the big toe. That does not stop a lot of people asking if they work in forums and Q & A groups online.





Having said that, that does not mean that they do not have there uses. However, that use often has to be combined with the use of exercises and footwear advice. They can be particularly helpful at increasing the mobility of the joint and that can have a significant impact on the ‘aches and pains’ coming from inside the joint that can be common in those with bunions. We do have these available if you think you would benefit from them and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any issues with bunions.

Craig Payne Administrator
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