Though bunions are extremely common, it doesn’t make them any less painful, irritating, or difficult to treat on your own. The fact of the matter is that while there are a wide array of products designed to help people suffering with bunions, few –– if any –– can actually offer meaningful solutions to the problem. Today, we’ll focus on one of the more popular pain-relief products on the market –– the bunion sleeve. Here, we’ll explain how it works, what it does, and if it’s worth your time and investment: 

What Does a Bunion Sleeve Do? 

First, some definitions. A bunion sleeve is essentially a larger version of a bunion pad or cushion. It is not to be confused with a bunion splint, which is a special device that acts to separate the toes and stretch tendons and ligaments in the foot. Bunion splints can prove effective in a very specific situation, and you can learn more about them here. 

Bunion sleeves, unlike splints, act more or less to cut down on friction caused by a bunion rubbing up against the interior surface of a shoe. In this way, bunion sleeves may reduce some of the pain an individual feels when walking around with a bunion. When combined with comfortable footwear, a bunion sleeve may afford an individual mild relief from bunion pain on a short-term basis. 

Do Bunion Sleeves Cure Bunions? 

The short answer to this question is no, bunion sleeves are not designed to cure bunions. Bunions are caused by an improper alignment of joints, ligaments, and bones within the foot. And though bunion sleeves may offer some pain relief, they will not help to restore balance to the foot, reduce the bunion, or remove it. The bad news here is that bunions tend only to get worse over time –– whether an individual uses bunion pads, sleeves, cushions, or not. 

Addressing Bunion Pain for Good

The only way to get rid of bunion pain is to have it removed through a surgical procedure. Understandably, some individuals may feel anxious about undergoing surgery to remove a bunion. However, modern minimally invasive bunion surgery is completely safe, effective, and painless. 

During a bunionectomy, the surgeon will make a very small incision along the side of the foot to remove the bunion and realign the foot to its proper orientation. 

And thanks to innovations in this field, modern bunion surgery is both very convenient and patient-friendly. Certain key features of minimally invasive bunion surgery include: 

  • Short procedure time. This is an outpatient procedure that typically lasts between 90 minutes and 2 hours. 
  • Quick recovery. Most patients are able to drive home and resume their normal daily routine with few interruptions after the procedure. 
  • Minimal scarring. Small incisions protect the foot from unsightly scar tissue forming.
  • Effective bunion removal. 

Contact Us

At Northwest Surgery Center, our team uses the most advanced methods and sophisticated tools to ensure positive outcomes for all of our patients. We specialize in treating foot pain issues, and we can help you address problems like bunions, corns, hammertoes, and heel spurs. Contact us here for more information or to schedule a free consultation.