What is a bunion? It is the enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe. This is called the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. A bunion develops when the tissue or bone at the joint of the big toe becomes misaligned.

If you have any of the following symptoms you may have a bunion: big toe points toward the second toe; red, calloused skin on the inner edge of the big toe; bony bump on the outside of the big toe; toe or joint pain that is worse when shoes are worn.

These could all be signs that you have developed a bunion. Bunions can be very painful. They can make running or walking very difficult. This is because the bone located at the point where the toe meets the foot moves outward from where it should be. Pain and inflammation are caused by this bone pressing against the shoe.

If wear narrow toed, tight fitting shoes such as high heels, you may develop painful bunions. Some people are prone to develop a bunion because of their genetic makeup. Bunions could develop if you have flat feet, your foot bones are abnormal, if you have had surgery on your foot or if you suffer from arthritis.

How do you treat bunion pain? If you are suffering from bunion pain you may want to consider using a bunion splint or protector. They can help relieve some of the pain you feel and help help relieve shoe pressure.

Bunion splints or protectors help protect the foot from shock, vibration, and blisters. They reduce friction which helps prevent blisters. Some help to moisturize the bunion as well. This helps to soften the skin and prevent scarring.

What are the best bunion splints or protectors? There are several to choose, three of the best are the Silipos Gel Bunion Protector, the Silipos BunionCare Gel Sleeve, and the ProCare Bunion Splint. Each of these braces are ideal if you are suffering from bunion pain.

The goals these products hope to achieve through their use are: to protect the bunion before and after bunion surgery, decrease the need for anti inflammatory medications, decrease painful symptoms and improve the first MPJ function.

The most comfortable of the three splints is the Silipos BunionCare Gel Sleeve. The price of this brace is $26.95. It will fit most shoes and offers good protection. The other two foot splints are also good products and their costs are $29.95 and $17.25 respectively.

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