Women with bunions know how painful it can be. Even something as simple as walking can become difficult, and bunion pain can make it hard to enjoy everyday activities. As a result, some women resort to removing their bunions surgically.
Bunion surgery is a common procedure for women. There are many things you can do to make a smooth recovery post-surgery, such as wearing bunion socks.
In this blog post, we will tell you more about why bunion socks for women are an essential part of post-surgery care. We will also provide tips on taking care of your newly sutured feet. So read on below to learn more!
A Tip Toe Over Bunion Pain and Surgical Treatment
Your feet are extremely strong and resilient. It can withstand tremendous force while accommodating a wide range of motion. But all that shuffling can sometimes take its toll on your feet. As a result, bunions are among the most common foot problems women experience.
Why Are Bunions More Common With Women Than Men?
Bunions occur due to many reasons, including genetics and arthritis. Bunion pain is most commonly caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes. Thus, women are more susceptible to bunions than men simply because they tend to wear tighter, higher-heeled shoes.
There are several known ways to treat bunions, but the most effective way is surgery. Surgery is an option if conservative treatments have not worked and your big toe joint pain is severe. Your surgeon will realign your big toe by removing bone and repositioning soft tissue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bunionectomy or bunion surgery is done as an outpatient procedure. So, it means you can go home within the day. Recovery takes from one to two months.
Is the first year after bunion removal crucial?
The first year after bunion surgery is extremely important for several reasons. During this time, the bones are healing, and the incisions are beginning to close. After the anesthesia wears off, there will likely be discomfort and pain through the healing process.
Take baby steps and don't push yourself.
What should you do after surgery?
With time and patience, you will get back on your feet. Here are some tips for starting your post-op care routine:
- Keep your bandaged foot dry. You can shower, but avoid wetting your bandages to avoid infection.
- Rest as much as possible. Don't overdo it by doing housework or going back to work.
- Exercise your foot and ankle. Gently stretch and move your foot and ankle several times daily to maintain flexibility and range of motion.
- Wear the correct shoes. You would be wearing post-op shoes and using walkers for some time. After a while, your doctor can opt to give you orthopedic shoes with a wide toe box and ample support.
- Elevate your foot whenever possible. Prop your foot up on a pillow to help reduce swelling.
- Ice your foot. Apply ice for 20 minutes several times a day to help reduce swelling.
Why should you wear premium bunion corrector socks for women?
After having bunion surgery, it is important to wear bunion socks. Made from a soft, breathable material, these bunion socks provide a barrier between the foot and the shoe, preventing friction and rubbing.
They also help support the foot and redistribute weight evenly, taking some pressure off the affected joint. Plus, bunion socks can help reduce swelling by providing gentle compression.
Most importantly, bunion socks can prevent bunion recurrence. Yes, bunions can return after a few months due to surgical complications or the wrong type of surgery. Bunions can also come back after a few years if you had surgery at a young age or went back to wearing poor footwear.
When exactly can you wear bunion corrector socks for women after post-op?
Don't wear your bunion compression socks right away! Your foot is still healing, so wearing them might overcorrect your big toe, causing other foot issues such as Hallux Varus.
Hallux Varus is a foot condition opposite to bunions, caused by congenital deformity or trauma to the big toe, like compression socks. Bunion socks can have light or graduated compression, pushing your big and second toes away from each other, leading to this foot problem.
Thus, most people wear bunion socks for about six weeks after surgery. You can even wear them longer since you are not allowed to go barefoot. Bunion socks are an important part of the healing process and can help you get back on your feet sooner.
What are the best bunions socks for every post-op activity?
Any post-op activity requires the right footwear, whether a simple walk to the mailbox or a more strenuous workout at the gym. For those who have recently undergone bunion surgery, that means finding the best bunions socks to provide comfort and support.
While there are many brands of bunions socks, we have rounded up a few of our favorites that we think will offer the best post-op support and comfort. So whether you are looking for a simple pair of bunion socks or something more substantial, we have got you covered.
For Overall Support: Orthosleeve Bunion Relief Socks
The Orthosleeve BR4 bunion socks have a seamless toe closure that gives a gentle correction of your big toe, reducing friction and preventing bunions from recurring. From resting to walking, these split-toe socks can provide the comfort and support you need.
For Everyday Wear: Thorlos Women's Padded Ankle Sock
These padded crew socks from Thorlos are the perfect bunion socks for women walking and working again after surgery. Its unique design and material are breathable yet provide a good compression on your foot.
For Running: Rockay Accelerate Anti-blister Running Socks
You will be able to do short-distance running after a year, but it does not mean neglecting to take care of your operated foot when exercising. Aside from proper footwear, running socks from Rockay will surely give you the arch support you need. Thanks to its reinforced heel and toe box and ventilated mesh zones, your feet can stay properly aligned and pain-free.
Final Thoughts
After going under the knife, you need to know that the foot pain does not go away instantly. You need to take a slow but steady healing process. This includes taking proper precautions such as resting and exercising. But it also means being proactive in your own healing process by wearing bunions socks.
Be sure to explore our other foot care tips to ensure healthy feet long after your surgery.
August 2, 2022
