Do bunion splints work to remove or heal bunions?
- In my experience as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), I have never seen a bunion splint heal or get rid of a bunion.
I’m sure we have all seen those advertisements for bunion splints on Facebook, QVC, Amazon and other outlets. There are toe spacers, silicone sleeves and even adjustable braces that can be used to help splint your bunion into a better correction – but do they really work?
Temporary Effects of Bunion Splints
- Space your toes out while in use
- Possibly provide slight relief while in use
I have not seen any long term research articles proving that these work, but can they help? Well, when wearing the bunion splint your toe looks good, but why doesn’t it stay that way? Imagine those “yoga toes” or even those little heart toe spacers they put between your toes after getting them painted at a pedicurist. They space your toes out, they can even make them feel good for a little while, but do your toes stay that way after you remove them – no. Certain devices can help stretch tendons and ligaments out, can even help break apart scar tissue and help with a range of motion post-operatively, but I have never seen long-term correction from these devices.
Possible Post-Operative Benefits of Bunion Splints
- Maintain correction while tendons, ligaments and bone are healing
- Help stretch tendons and ligaments
- Help break apart scar tissue
- Help with range of motion
Conclusion – Do Bunion Splints Work?
In my experience, bunion splints can help post-operatively to maintain correction while the tendons, ligaments and bone are healing, and emphasize correction – however, I have not seen a bunion splint heal or get rid of a bunion. In our practice, I frequently recommend a toe spacer during the healing period, up to three months after surgery, but have not had any success using a bunion splint to remove a bunion without surgery.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Home Bunion Remedies
Bunion correctors do not correct bunions. They might temporarily reduce bunion pain and make the big toe look straighter but bunion splints do not address the imbalance within the foot that causes bunions. Bunion correctors are not a long-term remedy for bunions.
There is no home remedy that will permanently get rid of bunions. All home bunion treatments are meant only to temporarily reduce bunion pain and/or slow the natural progression of bunions. Bunion surgery is the only way to permanently get rid of bunions.
There is no natural remedy for bunions. All natural bunion treatments are meant only to slow the natural progression of bunions and temporarily reduce bunion pain. Bunion surgery is the only way to get rid of bunions.