Pedag: Treating Bunions Without Surgery

20 February 2020

Our feet have to put up with a lot over our lives, and one of the ways in which this manifests is bunions! The bony protrusions can cause pain when walking, difficulty finding well-fitting shoes and can lead to the development of further problems such as arthritis. For people who are on their feet all day, bunions are as annoying as a stone in the shoe.

Pedag: Treating Bunions Without Surgery
Bunions can make it painful to wear certain shoes

Bunions are not only debilitating, but they are also extremely common. Statistically, every fourth woman suffers from hallux valgus (bunions) or sore balls of the feet. Therefore, it's essential that effective, simple solutions for bunions are readily available.

What Are Bunions?

A bunion is a bone deformity at the base of the joint of the big toe, or the metacarpophalangeal joint. The big toe skews inwards towards the other toes, forcing the first metatarsal outwards and creating the recognisable angular bunion lump! Although far less severe, a bunion is not dissimilar to the malformation seen in the feet of women who have bound their feet, as in the ancient Chinese tradition.

Do I Have Bunions?

Apart from the visual protrusion, a bunion is often accompanied by pain, sore skin and hard red calluses around the area of the big toe and the forefoot. The skin may eventually become warm to the touch. Bunions form cumulatively over many years and do not appear overnight.

Pedag: Treating Bunions Without Surgery
Not only are bunions painful, they can lead to more serious conditions

What Causes Bunions?

Cultures in which people don't wear shoes have almost no cases of bunions, and many people believe that too-tight ill-fitting shoes are responsible for the condition. The finger is often pointed at women's shoes, such as high heels, which force the foot into an unnatural position. However, there are several other reasons someone might develop bunions:

Bunions are hereditary and you may have a predisposition for them
They are more likely to develop in people with unusually flexible joints
Overweight people may exacerbate the condition by putting extra pressure on their feet
Rheumatoid arthritis and gout may also be responsible for bunions, but don't panic! This is not so for the majority of cases

Who Gets Bunions?

Children are prone to bunions due to the flexibility of their joints. Women are much more likely to suffer from bunions than men, likely due to shoes with raised heels or pointed toes which are not conducive to foot health. Yet you can still wear high heels even if you have bunions, it's just important to team them with an effective bunion protector!

Can Bunions Go Away?

Unfortunately, bunions do not go away by themselves. In fact, they will get progressively worse if they are left untreated. Bunions dramatically alter the bone structure of the feet, and it proves difficult to reverse.

Pedag: Treating Bunions Without Surgery
Bunions alter the bone structure of your feet

How Do I Get Rid of Bunions?

The most dramatic solution to bunions is to have them removed surgically. However, this can result in being bed bound for weeks, and most people can't afford to take this much time out of their lives. Even if you do have surgery there is a small chance that the bunions will simply reoccur.

What Can I Do About My Bunions?

There is hope! You might not be able to get rid of them entirely, however there are non-surgical solutions to easing the pain of bunions. These generally offer support to your metatarsal, the ball of your foot or the ball of your big toe. Another solution is to gently separate the big toe from its neighbours, preventing the overlap from worsening.

Pedag: Treating Bunions Without Surgery

Pedag are an extremely well respected German foot-care company, who have gained the recognition of orthopaedic societies around the world. They have developed high-tech materials, such as memory effect gel, which give you the best possible chance of effectively treating your bunions without any need for invasive surgery.

How to Ease Bunion Pain?

Below are some great Pedag bunion solutions, to ease your pain and increase your mobility!

Pedag Bunion Protector

Flexible and tear resistant gel allows you to get on with your active day without having to worry about either your bunion pain or damaging your Pedag Bunion Protector. The protector gently separates your big toe, and serves to shield the swollen sensitised tissue from direct pressure.

Key Features: Contains moisturising lotion which soothes dry skin

Pedag Hallux Bunion Toe Spreader

Not only does the toe spreader help to alleviate the pain and discomfort of bunions, it also corrects the misalignment of the toes which causes the pain. The Pedag Hallux Bunion Toe Spreader uses gel technology to wrap ergonomically around the stressed ball of the foot and ease your discomfort.

Key Features: Soothing, ergonomic gel moulds to the shape of your foot for the optimum fit

Pedag Hallux Bunion Pressure Relief Pad

The pad is available in two different sizes ensuring a secure and personalised fit. The Pedag Hallux Bunion Pressure Relief Pad serves to cushion the metatarsal and the big toe, providing a comprehensive approach to treating the pain.

Key Features: Ideal for treating swollen or inflamed bunions, as the skin-friendly gel will not further irritate sore patches or calluses

Pedag Hallux Soft Gel Big Toe Pad

The elasticated textile cover allows the Pedag Hallux Soft Gel Big Toe Pad to be worn like a stocking which has a variety of benefits. The pad will remain securely in place and can be easily switched from the left to the right foot. If the pain of your bunion is concentrated on the big toe, then this pad is ideal.