When faced with problems, we sometimes tend to find the quickest solutions but not necessarily the permanent ones to keep the dilemma from recurring. When it comes to bunions and any health conditions, we should not have the mindset of providing only short-term solutions, as doing so can worsen the situation.
Let us help you check whether you are using the correct product, particularly bunion splints. We’ll enumerate here what ideal qualities make up the best bunion splint, and like an exam you take in school, check whether what you have now or are eyeing to buy has these five characteristics. Let’s start!
Bunion Splints Explained
If you aren’t familiar with bunion splints yet, these are what people wear to relieve pain caused by bunions as well as correct them with regular use. If you have bunions, you can use this on top of other bunion protectors and correctors prescribed by your podiatrist.
Bunion splints have different designs. Some splints are wrapped around the feet, while some are just slipped in like foot braces. All of them have the structure of separating the big toe from the other toes as this abnormal movement of the big toe happens when bunion occurs. You’ll see this design in most products but check the five characteristics below to know you have the best.
There should be a choice on bunion correction adjustment.
Do bunion splints work? Definitely! It works when the separation of the big toe from the other toes is maintained, and the big toe is kept to its proper position. This scenario is only possible when the splint has bars keeping the toe in place. Splinting, however, is painful, especially in advanced bunion stages. So to make it work, the products you must use should have various splints like metal or thermoplastics with different thicknesses and resistance to movement. With that, you can slowly adjust from movable thermoplastics or sturdy metals.
It should have proper arch support.
When bunions appear, other foot, leg, and even hip conditions follow, especially when not treated immediately. To avoid hitting the bunion, which causes you pain, you adjust your posture or the way you walk, affecting the natural alignment of the feet. If your bunion splint has arch support, it will follow the natural curves of the feet while ensuring your bunions are protected from pain and friction and are corrected through splinting.
Some splints, especially the brace type ones, do not have this, which may work in early bunion stages but not in advanced ones.
It should fit your foot size.
Many bunion splints are available online and in eCommerce stores, but if you have the chance to buy from your podiatrist after a checkup, do so as you’ll have the opportunity to fit them. You may have excellent splint characteristics, but you will not reap the alignment correction benefits when you do not have the correct size.
It should have a perfect fit and will not slip.
After getting the right fit, make sure your splint stays in place.
Bunion splints are usually worn at home because most of them are bulky, but you can conveniently wear some with shoes. Either way, the bunion splints should not be dislocated when you move. Look for products that have heel straps to ensure that the splint stays in place.
In terms of big toe repositioning to its proper place, the splint should have metal or thermoplastic inside the sleeve to avoid movement of the big toe. Otherwise, it seems like you just wore a bunion guard. The goal is to get the big toe used to its new repositioned alignment.
It should be breathable.
Splints are not as comfortable to wear as other corrective and protective products like toe separators, sleeves, or socks. It is because the materials of the splints are thick to ensure non-movement of the big toe. Yet, some products are made of breathable materials, so make sure to check them. These product types will keep you from having sweaty feet that can cause odor or skin irritation. With breathable splints, you can wear your bunion corrector longer and more comfortably. As you know, the key to bunion correction is the consistency of bunion corrector use.
It should not wear out quickly.
Durability is another consideration when buying a bunion splint. You want a product you can wear for three or more months consistently, as this is the duration when most splint makers promise that you’ll see noticeable bunion correction results.
Some products use copper compression not only for durability but also for hygiene and odor control. Nylon and spandex are also common materials used as they provide compression, and of course, there are also splints made of medical-grade materials that are hypoallergenic and breathable.
In Closing
Indeed, among the sea of products promising bunion correction, splints are among the most effective. So how long does it take for a bunion splint to correct? With consistent use, it only takes up to three months to see evident results, and of course, the longer you use it correctly, the better the alignment of your foot will be.
Have you checked whether the one you are using or have added to the cart has all these characteristics? If yes, your journey to reclaim perfectly aligned feet and a life free from bunion pains is on the right track.
August 2, 2022
