A bunion is an abnormal elongation of the metatarsophalangeal joint between your big toe and foot. According to MayoClinic.com, a bunion forms due to stressors on the foot that cause the joint to become unstable. As the pressure continues, the joint will enlarge and protrude outward from the base of the foot. A bunion pad is a bulky piece of foam that may be cut to fit around the enlarged area. Bunions can be painful because of friction from shoes. These pads help reduce that friction and may make a bunion more tolerable.
Bunions
The most obvious use for these pads is to protect the skin covering the joint from irritation when you wear a shoe. You may need to use scissors to cut a bunion pad in a shape that suits your bunion. Once shaped, peel off the protective film from the back of the pad and place it over the bunion. This will supply a barrier between the shoe and the foot to help relieve pressure on the joint. Some bunions are so large that a pad may not be enough. In those cases, you may have to cut the shoe to provide an opening for the bunion or look into surgical options to correct the deformity.
Stretch Shoes
Shoes that are too tight sometimes need stretching to break them in. The bulky nature of a bunion pad might make them an effective tool to accelerate this process. Most shoes will stretch over time but may cause friction wounds on the surface of skin, such as blisters or corns. Adding bunion pads to key points on the foot may help stretch the shoe before friction causes irritation. The pad will also protect the skin from developing a raw area. For example, placing a bunion pad on top of the foot near the toes will help stretch the shoe and prevent rubbing where the toes bend. Applying a pad to the heel may prevent blisters.
Bunionettes
A bunionette is similar to a bunion except it develops on the outside of the foot. Orthogate describes bunionettes as forming near the small toe as opposed to the big one. Medically, a bunionette is the same as a bunion but develops in a different location. Stress on the foot causes the joint for the little toe to become unbalanced and elongate. Bunion pads come in various sizes and can be cut down to conform to a bunionette. Application is the same as for the larger bunion.
