Corn Removal Surgery

Corns are callus like mounds, which appear on the sole of the feet, especially around the area where maximum weight and pressure is applied. Due to which the area gets chaffed and thickened.

Calluses on the feet or foot corns tend to be painful especially when they form over nerves and sensitive tissues, which then tend to get further pressurized during walking. These mounds of dead skin are usually caused due to constant friction with certain parts inside the shoe.

Though, there are some natural remedies that help in reducing corn, the most popular alternative is to opt for corn removal surgery. This is a very minor surgery that usually takes about half an hour or so to complete and the corn surgery cost is quite minimal.

There are two types of corn with two very different types of surgical procedures. The first one is the normal corn that are not localized at the toes but are on or around the heals. These corns do not need a very invasive surgery. In these types of corns, the foot corn removal procedure involves, that the dead skin is first shaved off with a scalpel and then a small incision is made so as to remove the corn from its base under the layers of skin.

The second type of corn are also called soft corns, which appear when the joint of one toe bends in an abnormal way so that it causes the skin to rub against the shoe. It usually occurs when the bone of the 5^th toe applies excessive pressure over the base of the 4^th toe.

The reason for the toe bending, in such an abnormal manner could be directed to wearing the wrong type of shoes for a prolonged period. For example, wearing ill fitted and tight shoes or stilettos can cause the toes to gets cramped together, which gradually shifts the bones closer.

During this surgery, the doctor makes a small incision over the top of the 5^th toe. Then the head of the toe bone is exposed by letting the ligaments around the joint be placed apart. This head of the toe bone is called the proximal phalanx, it is this bone that usually tries to pressurize the base of the 4^th toe. The next step is to cut off the head of the proximal phalanx in the fifth toe. If needed the doctor will smoothen the bone of the 4^th toe by making a small incision on its base.

The total recovery period post surgery, takes about 14 days after which the stitches are removed. Complete rest is required during this period, which means that you should use your foot as sparingly as possible.

Doctors recommend that for 3 days post the surgery, the foot must be placed at an elevated level, higher than the level of the chest. This helps in reducing the pain and throbbing felt around the stitches.

It is advised to wear a postoperative shoe at all time, so that the bandages stay intact, loose bandages may postpone the healing as well as increase the chances of swelling and infection. Wearing the operative shoes until the stitches completely heal is a safer option.

You should also avoid getting your feet wet, instead it's safer to clean it with a damp sponge or towel.

Surgery is one of the alternatives, though it may not always be a best option. It is very likely that corns may reappear if the feet are enduring excessive pressure. There are many natural remedies, which you can try at home which have proven to yield positive results.