Could a simple toe brace fix bunions without surgery?
NCT ID NCT07378917
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether wearing an external toe brace for 3 months can improve joint alignment in people with mild to moderate bunions (hallux valgus). Thirty-five adults used the brace daily, and researchers measured changes in the bunion angle on X-rays, along with pain, comfort, and satisfaction. The goal is to see if a non-surgical device can help realign the toe and ease symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- hallux valgus orthosis (external toe brace)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a non-surgical way to improve toe alignment and reduce pain for people with mild to moderate bunions.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with only 35 participants. The orthosis may not correct the deformity significantly, and results may not apply to everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
35 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2025
- Finished
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Apr 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Sex: Male or female Age: 18 to 80 years Cooperative subject, informed of the need and duration of follow-up visits, ensuring full compliance with the protocol/study, and having signed informed consent No previous surgery on the foot and/or ankle Mild and/or moderate Hallux Valgus (Manchester Scale) Exclusion Criteria: * Patient with severe arteriopathy Patient with severe edema Patient with sensory neuropathy Patients who have used additional pharmacological treatments (analgesics/anti-inflammatories) during the entire study period Severe Hallux Valgus (Manchester Scale) Any systemic disease affecting the musculoskeletal system Rheumatoid arthritis involving the first metatarsophalangeal joint Instability of the first metatarsophalangeal joint History of previous foot and/or ankle surgery Hyperpronated foot with FPI \>10 Severe pathological genu varum or valgum Pregnant women or suspected pregnancy
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Carmen García Gomariz
Valencia, 46010, Spain
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