If you’re experiencing orthopedic pain that is hindering your ability to perform everyday tasks and responsibilities, you might be searching for a non-surgical method of treating or managing pain. It’s easy to understand why potential alternatives to surgery are popular; after all, if you could fix a medical problem without undergoing a surgical procedure, why wouldn’t you try? The thought of undergoing surgery can be daunting for many patients, even those who are experiencing severe orthopedic pain; unfortunately, when it comes to treating bunions and managing the pain associated with them, over-the-counter products like bunion pads rarely deliver lasting results. This is because items like bunion cushions, bunion pads, bunion splints, and other corrective tools don’t treat the root cause of bunions and, therefore, don’t offer a long-term solution to bunion pain. In this blog, we will explore how non-surgical bunion correctors like bunion pads and cushions work and discuss why they are not an effective option for the long-term treatment of bunions. 

How Do Bunion Cushions Work? 

Bunion-correcting products like bunion pads, bunion splints, and bunion cushions are intended to serve as short-term treatments for the moderate to severe pain that typically comes with bunions. Bunion cushions generally come in two sizes; the first design is similar to a sock, where the cushion slips over most of your foot and covers the side of the big toe where the bunion is located. The second design is usually a small gel cushion that sticks directly to the bunion. Both exist primarily to relieve pain that occurs when completing daily tasks or responsibilities like walking, standing, wearing certain footwear, and more. As these cushions provide a barrier between the bunion and a person’s shoe, they prevent the bunion from rubbing up against the side of the shoe directly; or, at least, that’s the idea. In practice, some consumers find that bunion pads or cushions don’t always stick to their bunion or cover the entirety of the painful area. Further, most find that bunion cushions don’t offer much pain relief at all, leaving many patients searching for additional treatment options to alleviate the severe pain associated with bunions.

Treating Bunions

When left untreated, bunions will generally get worse over time. So, while a bunion might not seem like such a significant inconvenience right now, it could continue to grow and become more inflamed as time goes on, putting you at risk for additional medical complications in the future; some people experience hammertoes, leg, or back pain as a result of untreated bunions.

By changing your shoes, wearing bunion cushions, and/or using bunion splints or correctors, you may get some temporary relief, but if you don’t address the root problem and treat the bunion at its source, the pain will never truly go away. 

As a side note, bunion splints may actually offer some post-operative benefits to patients after surgery. In this scenario, bunion splints can help break apart scar tissue and keep the foot aligned while tendons and ligaments heal, however, they are not an effective treatment for bunions on their own. 

Traditional Bunion Surgery vs Minimally Invasive Surgery 

If you want to get rid of bunion pain once and for all, it is likely that you will have to undergo surgery. Fortunately for many patients, bunion-removal procedures have come a long way over the years as medical technology has rapidly developed, meaning that there are many safe, effective, and virtually painless options available when it comes to the surgical removal and treatment of bunions. After undergoing traditional bunion surgery, many patients have reported experiencing issues with the extensive recovery time that is required post-operation. In many instances, patients had to have stitches and wear a boot, waiting between six weeks and eight months to get back to their active lifestyle following the surgical removal of a bunion. Luckily, the development of minimally invasive bunion removal procedures have allowed patients to treat bunions once and for all without experiencing pain or needing to adhere to strict post-operative guidelines such as wearing a boot or caring for stitches.

Thanks to minimally invasive bunion surgery at Northwest Surgery Center, patients can resolve their foot-pain issues without going through a painful or difficult ordeal that Minimally invasive bunion removal surgery drastically cuts down on the pain and recovery time associated with traditional bunion surgery. In fact, those who opt for minimally invasive surgery are able to walk out of the operating room and return to daily life without interruption. 

During a minimally invasive surgical procedure at Northwest Surgery Center, patients are treated in a state of the art, modern surgery suite surgery is performed using the latest medical technology and equipment. Patients are administered local anesthesia, and a small incision is made in the foot. A specially designed surgical instrument is inserted into this incision, and the entire surgical procedure is then performed through this small opening. After surgery is complete, a small bandage is used to protect the microsurgery area from infection; unlike traditional surgeries, minimally invasive procedures do not require a patient to wear a special cast, brace, or boot. The entire procedure – including pre-operative preparation and post-operative recovery – takes less than 90 minutes to complete. Patients can drive themselves home from surgery, and will have to wear a special, post-operative shoe for about 3-4 weeks. If you are looking for the fastest, safest, and most effective way to treat bunion pain once and for all, undergoing a minimally invasive procedure at Northwest Surgery Center is a great option. 

Treating Bunion Pain for Good

If you’ve been struggling with bunions, but have been hesitant to pursue surgery, now is the time to reconsider. While there are many products and tools on the market such as bunion pads, correctors, splints, and more, that aim to treat bunion pain at home, these are not effective long term solutions to bunion pain. If you want to get rid of pain once and for all and rediscover the ability to perform daily tasks such as walking, driving, exercising, and more without pain, it is time to undergo surgery. Thanks to the minimally invasive procedures offered from Northest Surgery Center, removing bunions and experiencing long term pain relief has never been easier. 

Contact Us

At Northwest Surgery Center, we are proud to be pioneers in the field of minimally invasive bunion surgery. Our team of orthopedic experts has years of experience in correcting bunions. We have the skills, knowledge, and tools to ensure you’re able to get back on your feet –– without pain –– in no time after a bunion removal procedure. Don’t wait any longer! Correct your bunions today and find relief from pain. You can check out our gallery of before-and-after pictures here, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.