Bunions are an enlargement of the great toe or hallux joint of the foot and are frequently related to what is called hallux valgus that is a deviation of the great toe or hallux towards the outside. They may or may not be painful, though the prospect of them to be painful is great. Because of this prevention and therapy is usually typically indicated. They certainly tend to be progressive to get worse with time. Really the only method of getting rid of bunions is with surgery, but that is not always a good option in the beginning. One of the ways that they may very well be treated is by using what is known as bunion correctors, however they are often accompanied by the question, would they work? They are splints or braces worn during the night to attempt to correct the angle of big toe to better its appearance.
A great deal is determined by what is understood by “working”. There's a lot of thoughts and opinions as to them both working and not working with minimal scientific evidence. There is one published scientific study which did show that the angle of the big toe will be improved by a few degrees after one months use, but this was not research of any more than that one month. Thus, yes, it does seem that bunion correctors can work in the short term at improving the angle of the hallux valgus or bunion a few degrees.
Aside from that one piece of research on bunion correctors all we can depend upon is expert opinion. Most of that opinion is consistent with that scientific study. Nonetheless, it also seems that even if the use of the bunion corrector does not improve the angle of the great toe or hallux or only helps it a smaller amount, it is entirely possible that the corrector will go quite a distance to preventing the problem from getting worse. That is important as bunions are progressive. The splint may also be beneficial at stretching the ligaments surrounding the joint which could be beneficial with pain inside the bunion.