Do Podiatrists recommend bunion correctors?

Bunions

While some podiatrists recommend bunion correctors as a non-surgical solution to manage bunion symptoms, others argue that their effectiveness is limited, so there is not necessarily a consensus amongst Podiatrists that bunion correctors should be recommended or not. When there is a lack of consensus, then a review of the scientific evidence is important.

What do bunion correctors do?

As the name implies, they are supposed to correct bunions, but do they? The problem with the scientific research evidence on bunion correctors is that there is not a lot that has been done. The only research are studies like this one which did show that you can get some improvement in the angle of the big toe. Paraphrased, the research probably shows that you can get a one or two degree or so improvement for each month of wear over 3 or so months in the angle of the big toe. This does not match the before and after photos you often see promoting bunion correctors. Those photos do not reflect the reality of how effective bunion correctors are at changing the angle of the big toe. No study has been done over the longer term and no study has been done if any improvement is maintained over the long term, so that is not clear at this stage. This does not mean that they don’t, it just means we lack a lot of scientific evidence that underpins them.

No research has been done looking at what they might do for the pain from a bunion in the short or long term. Anecdotally this is where there is some opinion amount Podiatrists. While the potential change in the angle of the big toe are modest, there are plenty of claims of how effective bunion correctors are in helping in the short term with the pain that can be coming from inside the joint. It is not going to be helpful for the pain caused by pressure on the bunion from shoes. Those podiatrists that do recommend bunion correctors a lot, do speak about how useful they are at dealing with the pain. You also see comments about how the bunion correctors also help keep the joint mobile and flexible and not allowing it to stiffen up. A mobile and flexible joint is much better than a stiff rigid joint.

So, do podiatrist’s recommend bunion correctors?

Yes, plenty do and some don’t. There is no “podiatrists” consensus. You have to decide for yourself if they are worth trying for yourself to see if they can change the ankle of your big toe and help with the symptoms in your big toe.