Corn Removal Surgery

Corn removal surgery from expert podiatrists in Woodbury Heights, Haddon Heights, Voorhees, & Pine Hill, NJ

Considering corn removal? Out Foot Doctors are experienced in corn removal surgery.

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Corn Removal Procedure

Corn removal surgery is a simple, effective procedure to remove thick or hardened corns that do not respond to conservative treatment. During the procedure, the surgeon shaves off the hardened thick shell of the corn using a scalpel. 

There are two primary types of corn removal: hard corn removal and soft corn removal. Hard corn removal is solved easily with corn removal surgery. However, soft corns typically have an underlying bony cause and require the podiatrist to fix this problem, or else the soft corn will return repeatedly.

Corns can appear anywhere on the feet, necessitating toe or foot corn removal surgery. In either location, surgery is the best option for a permanent resolution of the corn

What are corns?

Corns are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when the skin undergoes constant friction or pressure. These patches occur most commonly on the hands or feet – particularly on the sole or around the toes. 

Calluses are often associated with corns. However, while calluses tend to develop on pressure spots, corns are small but deeper, being surrounded by swollen skin. Hard corns occur on the top of the toes or the outer edge of the small toe. Soft corns, on the other hand, form between toes. The third type of corn, seed corns, can form on the bottom of feet. 

Risk factors for corns include:

  • Wearing ill-fitting footwear. Footwear that squeezes or rubs on an area of the feet can cause a corn to form.

  • Not wearing socks. Friction against the feet increases if you wear shoes or sandals without socks.

  • Family history. Corns on non-weight-bearing areas, like the soles or palms, could indicate a genetic cause.

If left untreated, corns can result in deformities like a rotated or misaligned toe, hammer toe, and mallet toe. That's why it's essential to perform foot or toe corn removal surgery if conservative treatments fail.

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When is toe or foot corn removal surgery indicated?

Like in all podiatry conditions, surgery is the last line of defense. Podiatrists will attempt to treat the corn using conservative methods first. These include using a pumice stone or emery board and soaking the corn in warm water to wear it down gradually. Moisturizing creams and lotions, containing urea, salicylic acid, or ammonium lactate, can also be used to soften the skin over time. 

Corn removal surgery is indicated if the corns do not improve or deformities develop. Furthermore, suppose there are already existing deformities, such as hammer toes, heel spurs, and bunions. In that case, surgeries to correct these deformities are needed first – otherwise, the corns will likely recur.

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What to expect from foot or toe corn removal surgery?

Prior to corn removal surgery, your podiatrist will inspect your foot and conduct an x-ray to check for any underlying deformities. Compared to other surgeries, corn removal surgery is not invasive – and a local anesthetic is used to prevent any pain.

In basic corn removal, a scalpel is used to trim the hard corn. If the hard corn goes deeper, a small incision is made to remove the corn without penetrating through the skin to the underlying tissues.

After the surgery, patients can return to normal immediately. Little to no pain occurs from the procedure, and side effects are rare. Patients may notice some additional swelling, but there is a low risk of infection. Some mild pain or discomfort can occur for 2 to 3 days after surgery. Your podiatrist may recommend over-the-counter pain relief. 

In more severe cases, your podiatrist may recommend tendon shortening or lengthening or bone reconstruction to prevent corns from forming in the future. Such surgeries are only necessary if there is a significant toe or foot deformity.

 FAQs

  • No. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the area. During toe or foot corn removal surgery, therefore, you should not feel any pain. Some mild pain or discomfort may be present following the procedure and can be treated with OTC pain medication.

  • Corn removal surgery is a low-cost procedure included in almost all forms of insurance. Speak to your provider or podiatrist about your options.

  • You should always wear shoes that give plenty of room & avoid shoes that are too tight on the foot. If necessary, wear felt pads & bandages over areas that rub against your footwear until the shoes are “broken in.”