Yoga toes and other types of bunion correction devices don’t cure the bunion. The bunion happens from structural issues in your foot that affect the way you stand and walk. Wearing shoes that are roomy, provide adequate arch support and don’t force your weight onto the front of your foot can reduce the severity of bunions and even delay their formation, but bunions happen even if you wear sensible shoes and stay at a healthy weight (obviously extra weight carried on your feet affects the way you walk and stand). About 1/3 of people get bunions, it’s a very common condition. Some people get relief from podiatric foot therapy/massage that helps them to walk more naturally. Bunions can recur after surgical intervention, so bear that in mind.

OP here. wow, I saw all these responses and was hopeful I'd have some good reviews on the procedure and maybe a couple of surgeon recommendations. Instead I am just realizing there are a bunch of us out there with ugly painful feet!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get yoga toes! I was told I'd need both sides of my feet shaved down--by the big AND small toe on both feet.

I bought yoga toes (they give your toes a passive stretch), orthotics and addisage flip flops.

It's taken awhile but shaving down bones? YIKES. NO THANK YOU.

And my feet are nearly[i] back to normal and in normal times i'd be wearing my heels.

Just looked them up. How often do you wear them? Which set do you have?

Oh! And I have gotten the kind that just separate the toes and the kind that go around each toe--i have calcium deposits on the bottom of my big toes so I find the ones that don't go around the big toe more comfortable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get yoga toes! I was told I'd need both sides of my feet shaved down--by the big AND small toe on both feet.

I bought yoga toes (they give your toes a passive stretch), orthotics and addisage flip flops.

It's taken awhile but shaving down bones? YIKES. NO THANK YOU.

And my feet are nearly[i] back to normal and in normal times i'd be wearing my heels.

Just looked them up. How often do you wear them? Which set do you have?

I try to wear them every night--sometimes I fall asleep with them on--and they come off as I sleep. One caveat--I got them for my (delightful) mother-in-law (whom I LOVE) and they gave her muscle spasms, so you might want to only wear for a 10 minutes at a time at first.

The orthotics also help a lot. So do the addisage flip flops. And in summer, I wear Birkenstocks. I'm SO glad I didn't get the surgery. I feel like my balance is getting better as my foot returns to its original shape.

I'd be interested in a minimally invasive bunion surgery. I had the traditional kind done about two years ago and it was worth the long, uncomfortable and painful recovery - but it was still a THING, especially if you have kids and stairs. The other foot has a bunion but not painful at this time.

Also, yoga toes does not actually correct the bunion long term. No I did not wear tight high heels.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stop wearing heels and narrow toed shoes! ‘Cute’ shoes lead many women to crippling foot deformities in their elder years. I work with elder patients and it always makes me sad to see the ravages of so-called ‘fashion’.

Don't assume we're all stuffing our feet into small shoes. I wear wide shoes and still have bunions. It runs in the family.

Yes, I have bunions too and I can count on my two hands the number of times in my life I’ve ever worn heels. On recommendation of my grandmother’s podiatric surgeon after he removed two of her toes, I have worn only my Birkenstocks as much as humanly possible and when I can’t wear them I wear very roomy athletic shoes or hiking boots or low heels pumps as required by my professional attire in court.

Bunions are hereditary, but what kind of footwear we put our feet in can exacerbate them significantly. Whether our feet are properly aligned in footwear that supports our arches and gives our toes room to spread out as evolution designed is a huge factor in the development and deterioration of various conditions of the feet.

Yes I have wide feet plus bunions. I’ve never worn skinny shoes!

Anonymous wrote:Stop wearing heels and narrow toed shoes! ‘Cute’ shoes lead many women to crippling foot deformities in their elder years. I work with elder patients and it always makes me sad to see the ravages of so-called ‘fashion’.

Don't assume we're all stuffing our feet into small shoes. I wear wide shoes and still have bunions. It runs in the family.

Anonymous wrote:Get yoga toes! I was told I'd need both sides of my feet shaved down--by the big AND small toe on both feet.

I bought yoga toes (they give your toes a passive stretch), orthotics and addisage flip flops.

It's taken awhile but shaving down bones? YIKES. NO THANK YOU.

And my feet are nearly[i] back to normal and in normal times i'd be wearing my heels.

Just looked them up. How often do you wear them? Which set do you have?

Get yoga toes! I was told I'd need both sides of my feet shaved down--by the big AND small toe on both feet.

I bought yoga toes (they give your toes a passive stretch), orthotics and addisage flip flops.

It's taken awhile but shaving down bones? YIKES. NO THANK YOU.

And my feet are nearly[i] back to normal and in normal times i'd be wearing my heels.

I have massive bunions, really bad, and I never wore shoes with tight toe boxes or high heels. I'm mid 50s. Can't imagine getting the surgery, but I wear only orthopedic looking shoes, and at times my bunions just really ache. So maybe.

Stop wearing heels and narrow toed shoes! ‘Cute’ shoes lead many women to crippling foot deformities in their elder years. I work with elder patients and it always makes me sad to see the ravages of so-called ‘fashion’.

Anonymous wrote:Following!

My bunions are getting worse, but I don't really "need" the surgery; my primary concern is cosmetic. If the newer techniques are good, it might be worth considering getting the surgery.

Me too. I’m 42 And stating to notice them more and some pain. More in one foot than the other. It’s genetic and I know one relative had the surgery. I don’t have time in my life for that now!

Following!

My bunions are getting worse, but I don't really "need" the surgery; my primary concern is cosmetic. If the newer techniques are good, it might be worth considering getting the surgery.

Has anyone had one of the newer techniques done to help with bunions?
Incisions are smaller leading to less recovery which, if true, may lead me to getting my other foot done. I had bunion surgery done years ago and just remember how awful the recovery was and now I still feel stiffness in my left foot. I don't regret it, but decided not to do my right foot since it wasn't nearly as bad and I didn't want to go through that experience again.

If you have had a newer technique done, who was your doctor and are you happy with the results?