So, you have a bunion - and most likely, the discomfort that comes with it.

 

While conventional bunion surgery is an option, it can be costly, invasive, and require significant recovery time. This leaves many of the millions of people worldwide living with bunions to explore non-surgical bunion treatment to alleviate symptoms of this common condition.

 

This is where bunion correctors, splints, and separators come in. However, it’s important to note that these solutions won’t remove your bunion - they’re designed to manage and relieve the side effects associated with it.

 

We wanted to provide our expert insight into some of the main types of bunion products available on the market: bunion correctors, bunion splints and toe separators, as well as answer some of the most commonly asked questions about these bunion products. We will also discuss some of the footwear options available to women with bunions (hallux valgus).

 

Bunion Correctors

If you don’t fancy going down the surgical route, a bunion corrector may be just what you need. 

 

Resembling a small brace or sleeve made of soft adjustable materials such as silicone, foam or fabric, the corrector is designed to fit over your foot and big toe and worn for a few hours each day. Over time, it gently realigns the big toe it its natural position, helping to relieve pressure on the bunion and adjacent toes. 

 

 

Hero: Black Leather & Metallic - Trainers for Bunions

 

SHOP NOW

Do Bunion Correctors Work?

With plenty of bunion correctors on the market – do they actually work? For those with mild symptoms, bunion correctors can be an effective option for temporary pain management and relief. While they won’t reverse the growth of the bunion, the gentle realignment of the big toe will help to provide much-needed pain relief over time.

 

How Do Bunion Correctors Work? 

If you don’t fancy going down the surgical route, a bunion corrector may be just what you need. 

Resembling a small brace or sleeve made of soft adjustable materials such as silicone, foam or fabric, the corrector is designed to fit over your foot and big toe and worn for a few hours each day. Over time, it gently realigns the big toe it its natural position, helping to relieve pressure on the bunion and adjacent toes. 

 

How Long Should You Wear Bunion Correctors?

The length of what it takes for a bunion corrector to work largely depends on the severity of your bunion and how often you use the corrector. Although correctors are good for providing immediate relief from discomfort, it may take up to several weeks or even months of regular use before symptoms are reduced. 

 

 

Other bunion correctors are designed to be worn overnight. This is generally because they are too bulky to wear under socks and shoes and require you to be barefoot. You should wear these bunion correctors overnight only.

 

What The Experts Say about Bunion Correctors 

Sole Bliss Founder and shoe expert Lisa Kay says: “Bunion correctors are a cost-effective solution for temporarily alleviating the pain and discomfort caused by bunions. However, it’s important to manage expectations, as they are best suited for mild cases.

She adds: “For those with more severe bunions, pairing correctors with supportive footwear and consulting a medical professional can make a significant difference in managing symptoms effectively.”

Bunion Splints

An alternative to bunion correctors is a bunion splint, a ridged structure that wraps around the foot and big toe, typically made from hard plastic or a lightweight metal combined with soft foam or fabric and adjusted with a Velcro strap.

A bunion splint is a device which fixes over your big toe and physically pushes it away from your other toes in an attempt to return it to normal alignment. There are several types of bunion splints available and some are more rigid than others.

Some have hinges at the base of the toe which can allow for a more natural movement. If you are going to try out a bunion splint, it is important that you choose one which is as comfortable as possible for you, because they are intended to be worn for several hours at a time.

 

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. You also shouldn’t expect to see immediate success overnight. If you are going to try wearing a bunion splint, you should try wearing it for at least one week.

Bunion splints are often recommended after having bunion surgery, as they help keep the toes aligned and prevent the big toe from moving in the wrong direction again. It is crucial to maintain this space between the big toe and the second toe.

The average bunion splint costs between £10-20. We would not recommend buying a bunion splint which is much cheaper than that. If you are going to give bunion splints a go, you should opt for one from a reputable brand and always read the product reviews!

 

 

Luna: Black Leather & Patent - Ballet Flats for Bunions

 

SHOP NOW

 

Do Bunion Splints Work?

Here at Sole Bliss, we work closely with a team of expert podiatrists who consult on a wide range of foot-related topics. We have asked them for their review of bunion splints and unfortunately the consensus is that, like bunion correctors, bunion splints won’t heal or get rid of your bunions. 

It may help stretch tendons and ligaments and it can be quite effective after a bunion-removal operation, where you need to space your toes and recover your range of motion. However, if you are looking for a cure for your bunions, this is not the answer.

Bunion splints can also cause mild discomfort, so if you are looking for a solution to your painful bunions, we wouldn’t recommend wearing any bunion product which is going to hurt your feet. That would be a little bit counter-intuitive!

There are a few other inconveniences caused by bunion splints. Several reviewers have complained that their feet can get a bit smelly after wearing a bunion splint! Given that your feet are essentially being squashed and contorted by this device, naturally they are prone to sweat, and this can lead to smelly feet. If you are wearing your bunion splint at night and showering the next morning, it is not the end of the world, but it's just something to bear in mind!

One of the other disadvantages of bunion splints (compared to other bunion products) is that you cannot wear with them with shoes.

What The Experts Say About Bunion Splints 

“We recommend using bunion splints for mild to moderate bunion symptoms,” says Lisa. 

“Start by wearing them for 1–2 hours per day to allow your feet to adjust, and then gradually increase this time to around 4–6 hours daily. Many people report a noticeable reduction in pain and pressure within just a few hours of wearing them.”

 

 

Sprint: Metallic Snake Print Leather - Trainers for Bunions

 

SHOP NOW

Toe Separators

If you suffer with bunions, you may want to try using a toe separator. Again, there are loads of reviews on toe separators out there, so we wanted to provide our expert insight and answer the big question: Do toe separators work?

 

 

Toe separators are designed to prevent your toes from rubbing against each other. If you have a bunion, you will know that this difficult joint can force the big toe towards the second toe, often causing pressure and discomfort. A toe separator is designed to keep these two toes apart and realign the big toe.

 

They can be made from foam, silicone, gel or rubber and they are inexpensive. We would recommend opting for toe separators made from gel or foam as these softer materials will prevent discomfort while you are wearing them.

 

Some toe separators will only cover your first and second toe. Others will cover your entire forefoot and cushion the ball of your foot or the side of your foot. There are also yoga toe stretchers which will go in between every toe. If you read the reviews for toe separators, you will see that all of these products work well on different people, but none of them will work for everyone. Therefore, we would recommend trying a few different kinds of toe separators and then deciding which works best for you.

 

Unlike bunion splints, most toe separators can be worn underneath your shoes or socks. You will need to wear wider-fitting shoes with a spacious toe-box, but toe separators can do a reasonably good job at keeping your toes apart without taking up too much room!

 

 

Star: Pale Taupe Leather & Suede- Trainers for Bunions

 

SHOP NOW

Do Toe Separator Splints Work?

Although toe separators can help prevent overlapping toes, there is no evidence to suggest that they will cure your bunions or provide any long-term correction for misaligned toes. They may provide some short-term relief but unfortunately the effects will not last and they certainly will not get rid of your bunions.

 

Athletes sometimes use toe separators to soothe the pain in their toes and feet after high-impact activities, such as yoga. Toe separators are also very useful at the nail salon when you want to avoid smudging your nails!

 

However, we would not recommend using them for long-term bunion prevention. Given that the main cause for bunions is not a dysfunction between the toes, a toe separator will not be able to do much more than stretch and straighten some of these forefoot tendons.

 

Benefits of Toe Spacers 

Although the effects are short term, there’s quite a few benefits to using toe separators. Not only do they stop your toes from rubbing together as much, but they also help to alleviate the pressure on bunions at the ball of the foot as well as help to prevent overlapping of the toes. Plus, if you are quite active, combining toe separators with toe-strengthening exercises may lead to improved foot stability over time.

 

When you should use Toe Spacers 

Unlike splints, toe spacers are best worn while resting, unless you are performing toe-strengthening exercises.

They can also be used alongside other forms of bunion support, such as correctors and splints, to help manage symptoms more effectively.

 

 What Experts Say about Toe Spacers for Bunions 

“When wearing toe spacers, it’s important to understand that their effectiveness depends entirely on the severity of your bunion symptoms,” says Lisa.

“We’ve found that some designs may not fit comfortably in all types of footwear. However, at Sole Bliss, our wide-fit shoes are ideal for those with bunions using toe spacers, thanks to their ample room in the toe area.”

Bunion Product Alternatives

 

Although there are thousands of bunion product reviews available online, unfortunately there is no miracle product which is going to cure your bunions. Bunion correctors, bunion splints and toe separators can all make living with bunions more bearable, but their effects are short-lived. Guidance from the NHS suggests that you should visit a GP if these home treatments do not work.

 

Proven Treatments for Bunions 

Now we’ve looked into temporary ways to alleviate bunion symptoms, let’s look at what else there is to help alleviate the discomfort of bunions no matter how big or small.

 

Surgery for Bunions

If you have severe bunions, a GP may suggest referring you for surgery, especially if your bunions are negatively affecting your quality of life. 

The most common form of bunion surgery is called an osteotomy, which involves cutting or scraping away the bunion, straightening the toe bone, and fixing it in place with metal screws or staples. This procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and requires a recovery period, including rest for up to 2 weeks and no driving for up to 6 weeks.

The surgery is often quite painful and should only be done as a last resort and under strict guidance from medical professionals.

 

Non Surgical Treatments 

If you don’t feel like you are at the stage where surgery is required, there are a number of treatments that can be used in conjunction with bunion correctors, splints, and toe separators.

The NHS recommends holding an ice pack (a bag of frozen peas will do!) wrapped in a tea towel against the bunion for up to 5 minutes at a time. Cold therapy helps to reduce inflammation and swelling around the bunion and is particularly useful if you’ve been on your feet a lot.

Over-the-counter medication can also help alleviate some of the more painful symptoms, although we strongly recommend speaking to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication. Ibuprofen is effective at reducing inflammation and is useful to have in the cupboard for those nasty flare-ups.

If you are overweight, a longer-term solution, recommended by the NHS, is to lose weight. Excess weight can increase pressure on your feet, worsening symptoms. With less pressure on your joints and bunions, you may experience less pain, improved mobility, and better overall foot health.

 

Bunion Corrector & Splint Alternatives 

If bunion correctors or splints aren’t providing the relief you need, why not consider bunion pads? These flexible gel, foam, or silicone pads are proven to provide immediate relief from pressure on painful bunions.

With plenty of options available on the market, bunion pads are lightweight, soft, and easy to use. Simply stick them directly to the bunion, ensuring they stay in place throughout the entire day.

 

Tread: Black Leather - Boots for Bunions

 

SHOP NOW

Shoes for Bunions - Correctors/ Bunion Surgery Alternative

 

The right shoes can truly make all the difference in the day-to-day management of the pain and discomfort that bunions cause.

Here at Sole Bliss, we believe that bunion-sufferers should be able to live comfortably without using these bunion products. That's why we developed the first extensive collection of fashionable shoes for women with bunions and painful feet. We spent 5 years working with a team of expert podiatrists and European artisans to design beautiful bunion-friendly shoes which understand the complexities of your feet.

Gone are the days of squeezing your feet into uncomfortable shoes! Our stylish shoes for bunions contain award-winning Comfort Technology which protects and cushions your bunions and painful feet. Every shoe features a stretch panel to accommodate mild to severe bunions, triple-layer underfoot cushioning and a wide toe-box to avoid cramping of toes.

 

 

 

Ruby: Black Snake & Suede - Heels for Bunions

 

SHOP NOW

 

Follow this link to read more about how our shoes work.

 

Here at Sole Bliss, we are committed to finding comfortable solutions for women living with bunions. Whilst our focus is and always will be on creating fashionable, comfortable shoes for bunions, we know that many bunion sufferers will look for additional ways to take care of their feet.

You can browse our collection of women’s shoes for bunions here.