Bunion Prevention Starts in the Shoe Rack, Not the Operating Room
Published on 09/13/2026 at 05:41 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Wide, flat shoes and a simple toe-spreading exercise can do more to head off a bunion than most people realise — and surgery, when it finally becomes necessary, is now far less invasive than it used to be. That is the takeaway from a set of recent specialist contributions examining Hallux valgus, the bony bump at the base of the big toe, alongside guidance on how to wear knee braces correctly.
It runs in families — but not the way you might think
Foot surgeon Mellany Galla explained that what gets passed down is not the deformity itself but the anatomical predisposition to it. That inherited groundwork can include weak connective tissue, unusually mobile joints, or a tendency toward a splayed forefoot. External factors then do the rest.
Prevention therefore leans heavily on footwear choices. Flat, sufficiently wide shoes are the recommendation, while tight, rigid or high-heeled styles can accelerate the deformation of the forefoot. Going barefoot and doing targeted strengthening exercises round out the preventive routine.
One corrective move is the big-toe spreader, best performed in three sets of 15 to 25 repetitions each. Insoles may ease pain, but according to the specialist literature they do not stop the misalignment from progressing.
When surgery becomes the answer
Operating is normally advised only once a patient is genuinely suffering. The main triggers are severe pain, walking difficulties, pressure points, or secondary deformities that have already developed in the neighbouring toes.
Modern practice increasingly favours minimally invasive techniques. Roughly five to six small incisions of 2 to 3 millimetres each are made, and under the guidance of a C-arm image intensifier the misalignment is corrected and fixed with screws.
Recovery typically involves a hospital stay of three to four days, followed by about four weeks in a special shoe. The risk of complications or recurrence sits at a level comparable to that of conventional open surgery.
Braces that support without locking the joint
Away from the foot, the focus shifts to protecting knees during physical work or sport. Braces fitted with built-in stabilisers are designed to support the joint, relieve pain and still allow freedom of movement. They come in several forms: light compression braces, breathable sports braces, and dedicated rehabilitation models.
Research suggests knee supports can lower the risk of patellar tendinopathy or chondromalacia in activities such as basketball, volleyball or cycling. For knee arthritis, compressive designs may also reduce swelling. Specialists stress, however, that a brace is no substitute for medical treatment.
Correct fitting follows a step-by-step routine:
- Clean and dry the knee.
- Stretch the brace slightly.
- Slide the foot through the opening.
- Pull the brace up to the knee.
- Centre the kneecap (patella).
- Smooth out any folds in the material.
- Check that the fit is firm but not constricting.
Braces can be worn for several hours at a time but should come off during sleep. For care, a regular gentle wash cycle followed by air drying is recommended.
What to do when the knee hurts
Pain when bending the knee can stem from many causes, among them patellofemoral syndrome, meniscus injuries, tendon inflammation or arthrosis. The established first response is the RICE principle — rest, ice, compression, elevation.
Aids such as knee braces or special insoles can support recovery. Experts advise seeing a doctor if swelling or instability appears, if crunching sounds are audible, or if the pain lasts longer than two weeks.
In the orthopaedic aids market, Sigvaris offers a range of models for different parts of the body under its Mobilis line. These include the GenuCare series for light compression and functional variants such as the GenuActive Pad. A 10 percent discount promotion on these products has been announced at specialist retailers, including sanihaus.ch, running until the end of October.
