So, there’s a couple of ways you could look at this question. So, I think it would be abetting harsh to suggest that a bunion corrector will cause harm, they are a pretty harmless device that doesn’t hurt in most cases and made of a softish style of plastic. They were originally designed to help maintain and allow the big toe to heal in a better position post-surgery. And for this purpose, they are not only safe they do what they are meant to. However, in most cases they are sold/ marketed as a ‘Corrector’ which I feel is misleading. In fact, they are anything but as well discuss in this article. Bunion correctors were never meant to be used as a corrector more as a facilitator after surgery.
The only way that I see bunion correctors causing harm is by being misleading in the fact that they don’t correct a bunion.
Why bunion correctors don’t work
Unfortunately, they have been widely sold as a treatment/ conservative way to correct a bunion. This has been disproven in several studies. Believe me we would all like bunion correctors to work but unfortunately this just isn’t the case.
Firstly, they were never intending for the purpose they are now widely used for. Their original goals were to help the big toe set in a better position after they had broken the bones after surgery. And for this they are very effective.
So, the main reason that bunion correctors don’t work without surgery is that they don’t help to treat the underlying cause. So, the underlying cause of a bunion is the way someone stands and walks. So, they don’t really get to the root of the problem.
To put it in perspective when someone walks you can put up to 3 times your body weight through your big toe. So, if the force is coming from the wrong direction this is how you wear out your big toe and in turn get a bunion.
This is why it’s so important to treat the underlying cause of a bunion rather than accommodate it. This is also why bunion correctors don’t work you really need to control those significant physical forces by controlling the way you stand and walk!
Surgical Options
This is by far the most common treatment for bunions and is used in only very advanced cases. As one surgeon once told me ‘Surgery is trauma to your foot’ so should only be considered after all other options are exhausted.
The difficulty is that surgery is expensive, and the recovery takes months. Not to mention in many cases they have to break the toes and repin the toes. This can prove to be limiting in terms of function to the toes and should only be considered as a last resort.
Other conservative treatments for bunions
Foot Mobilisation therapy – this is hands on technique combined with exercise therapy that improves the alignment and the function of the big toe/bunion area, and the foot and ankle. It treats the underlying function of the foot and ankle which affects the bunion and contributes to the bunion in the first place.
Benefits of foot mobilisation therapy
Benefits of our treatment for a bunion
- Treatment done by podiatrist that has worked in this area for over 18 years
- Avoid bunion surgery long term
- Hands on treatment that treats the underlying cause
- Avoid the need for surgery in all but very advanced cases
- Can keep doing all activities during treatment
- Cost effective compared to surgery
- Helps to realign the foot and ankle long term
- Keep wearing the shoes you love
- No recovery times
- Can keep being active through treatment process
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Normally valued at a total of $100 but for a limited time only $35 dollars. (65% off!)
Contact us to book an appointment or call our Manly Vale clinic on (02) 8966 9300!
