How Effective are Bunion Correctors
We all can agree that bunions are painful and embarrassing. You might want to go around with normal activities, but the pain is too much. Bunions can affect your normal life in a great way. It gets worse when you have to be on your feet all day working. If you are in such a situation, you will want it fixed right away. Some of the most commonly used remedies are bunion correctors. But how effective are they, do they work? The answer to that question is No. And here is why;
Bunion correctors are designed only to address basic symptoms of bunions rather than the causes. Correctors make it appear like you are correcting your bunion because you’ll be forcing the big toe back into its natural location. The process will not fix the cause of bunion occurrence. Research has shown that the causes of bunions are inside the foot. They form because tendons, ligaments, and muscles don’t have their delicate shape and balance. The only way to fix that is through repositioning those muscles, ligaments, and tendons and then realigning the joint in the big toe.
Companies selling bunion correctors will try and convince you how effective they are, telling you that it doesn’t work, then you are not using it correctly. That isn’t true. You can use the bunion corrector to reduce pain and make the foot comfortable.
Most Effective Way
The best and most effective way to fix a bunion and get rid of it is through foot surgery. As of today, there are two types of bunion surgery. Minimally Invasive Surgery and Conventional Surgery.
Conventional bunion surgery: This is often regarded as one of the most painful surgeries. It takes around 6 to 8 weeks to recover from the surgery and up to 8 months for secondary recovery. You will have to wear a cast or boot for at least two weeks. When wearing stitches, don’t let them get wet for whatever reason. It is also advised that you shouldn’t drive for up to two weeks.
Why You Should Address Bunions
Bunions aren’t something you will ignore and continue with your life normally. Frequently, the MTP joint plays an essential role in helping you distribute and bear weight when going around with your activities. When a bunion occurs at such a critical joint, bones and ligaments can severely affect your foot’s functioning. A bunion on the big toe can affect the other toes in equal measure; they might become bent or develop corns that form hammertoes. This might lead to nails becoming ingrown and calluses forming at the bottom of your foot. If you tend to continually shift weight off the painful big toe other areas, you might develop discomfort in the center of the foot. The more it becomes uncomfortable, the harder it is to fit into shoes, affecting your normal activities like walking and exercising.
Foot disorders are a significant cause of sedentary and disability, especially in older men. As you get older, the chances of having bunions are higher. The more severe bunions are, the more complicated life gets. This is why you should seek treatment immediately to prevent them from interfering with daily routines.
Conservative Bunion Treatment
The basic step towards reliving pressure and pain is through wearing the right shoe size. A good shoe should have a flexible, wide sole to support your foot and have enough roof in the toe box to accommodate the bunion. The right kind of shoes to wear when having a bunion are sandals, shoes made of soft leather, and athletic shoes. Closed shoes should have a sturdy back to keep the heel comfortably in place. Such shoes will make movement easier and comfortable, reducing the contact between the bunions and walls of the shoe.
Another way of protecting the bunion is through a gel-filled pad or moleskin available in drugstores. It is vital to ensure that your shoes have enough space to accommodate the foot. Experts have also recommended shoe inserts (semisoft orthoses) to aid in positioning the foot correctly as it hits the ground. Wearing splints at night can also help hold the toe into position and make it comfortable. When the bunion becomes painful and irritated, ice packs, warm soaks, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or aspirin will help. Whirlpool will also provide some comfort. A Cortisone injection can temporarily relieve pain by reducing the rate of inflammation. Despite their success, they have side effects, primarily when used in high doses.
Conclusion
Bunion correctors can reduce the pain and discomfort that comes with bunions, but they cannot permanently cure it. The best method of fixing bunions is foot surgery, a process that will eradicate the bunion permanently.
