Minimally Invasive Corn Removal Surgery

At Jaws Podiatry, we provide the most advanced, minimally invasive, same-day corn removal surgery.

If you’re embarrassed by your corns, or you’re experiencing significant pain or discomfort, corn removal surgery may be right for you.

Minimally Invasive Corn Removal Surgery

Continue reading to learn more about corn prevention, how they develop, the difference between soft and hard corns and an overview of our minimally invasive surgical removal process, or contact our team today to schedule an in-person or virtual consultation – (954) 922-7333!

What Are Corns And How Do They Develop?

Corns are hard, thickened sections of skin that usually occur on those parts of the feet that don’t bear any weight, which include the sides, in between and on top of toes.

While corns and calluses are often confused with one another, they can be distinguished by their specific location.

That is to say that corns occur on pressure points and are often chunky and painful. 

Calluses, on the other hand, form on the weight-bearing part of feet and are flatter, wider, and considerably less painful than corns.

What Is The Difference Between Soft and Hard Corns?

Hard corns are small, dense areas of skin that usually form at the top of toes where there is bone pressure against the skin.

Due to the fact that their cores are solid, pain and even an open wound can occur. 

Soft corns, which are among the most painful of foot conditions, are known for their softer, rubbery texture and most commonly appear in the form of painful lesions between the fourth and fifth toes.

They form in these spots because sweat softens the space between the toes and keeps them moist. Soft corns can also sometimes become infected.

In most cases, the culprits responsible for both soft and hard corns and callus formations are high heeled and/or ill-fitting shoes.

High heels are known to place enormous pressure on both toes and feet, which makes women four times more likely to suffer.

There are other risk factors as well; namely, wearing shoes or sandals without socks, which often cause rubbing and friction. 

Our teams at Jaws Podiatry continually educate all our patients about the pros and cons of specific shoe gear for different activities.

Wearing the appropriate shoe is the very first step (forgive pun) in significantly reducing unnecessary pressure in high risk areas.

What Common Symptoms Arise From Corns?

Corns are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when the skin comes in contact with excessive friction or pressure.

They are usually small, round, raised bumps that are hardened and surrounded by irritated skin.

Smaller and deeper than callouses, their core is always hard and flanked by swollen skin. They can be very painful to the touch.

Common symptoms include: thickened or hardened patches of skin that appear on the feet or toes; a bump on the skin; flaky, dry skin surrounding the area, and pain or tenderness.

When To Consider Surgery For Corn Removal 

In addition to improving the aesthetics of your feet, corn removal surgery can also relive the pain associated with corns.

Although conservative treatment options such as; wearing roomier shoes and using moleskin pads can help treat corns for healthy people who aren’t in much pain, surgery for their removal may be considered in a number of situations.

It can be recommended for people who suffer from diabetes or other circulatory-weakening conditions.

Diabetics often have poor blood circulation and a lack of feeling or neuropathy, which can both make pain difficult to detect and healing more difficult to achieve. Delay in diagnosis can also cause infection. 

Surgery can also be the preferred option for those experiencing significant pain or having difficulty with regular activity regimens and in wearing shoes.

Intense pain and discomfort while walking are not conditions anyone should have to live with.

Corrective surgery should also be addressed in cases where a structural deformity on the foot or toes has caused the repeated development of corns or calluses.

Is Corn Removal Surgery Painful?

The local anesthetic keeps the area numb for a while after surgery.

When it wears off, if there is any throbbing, aching or burning pain, over the counter anti-inflammatory medication can help relieve it.

Elevating the foot above the level of the heart can  prevent pain and for this reason, the surgeon may recommend it for at least the first 48 hours after surgery.

Corn Removal Surgery And Recovery

Corn removal surgery is the last stop after all conventional attempts have failed, including changing shoe wear, padding & shaving the corn.

Its solitary focus is to relieve the pain linked to the condition and correct the cause of the corn.

Surgery is performed as a short, office-based procedure performed under local anesthesia. Usually, the process itself is quick.  

It involves making a small incision (of about 1 cm) with a sterile scalpel that our podiatrists skillfully maneuver to shave off the dead skin all the way down to the root of the corn, which is then removed.

In the majority of cases, however, corns develop when the joint of the toe bends out of shape, such as in a hammertoe or bunion deformity, causing the overlying skin to rub into the shoe.

When this occurs, the deformity has to be repaired along with the corn. 

Corn Removal Surgery After Care/Recovery Information 

After the root of the corn is removed, the deformity is corrected. 

This will ensure that the corn will not return unless friction, irritation or pressure against the skin caused by poor-fitting shoes is eliminated.(No more high heels, ladies.)

The surgeon then closes the incision with stitches, bandages the area and applies a surgical shoe.

The patient will also be required to ice and elevate the foot as much as possible the first week after surgery.

It can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months to fully recover from corn removal surgery.

The patient must wear a postoperative shoe for two weeks after surgery to cover the affected area and the dressing must not get wet. It is usually kept dry with the help of a shower bag.

Failure to wear the shoe when walking can cause swelling, longer healing time and other complications.

Patients will need to limit physical activities and refrain from wearing regular shoes, which will help to reduce pressure on the feet and aid in the healing process. 

During this time, feet must remain clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection. 

While stitches may be removed in as little as ten days, daily activity should still be limited for about three weeks after surgery. 

Once the healing process is complete, patents will be delighted to see a significant improvement in the appearance of their feet.

In addition, being free of pain opens up new avenues for joy and fulfillment in everyday activities that were impossible before surgery.

While corns can develop again, they aren’t likely to do so if patients care for their feet as per their doctor’s instructions.

In conclusion

For anyone throughout the U.S. and beyond that is suffering with painful corns, hammertoe, bunions or any other foot and ankle issues, please contact JAWS podiatry today and reap the many benefits associated with corn removal surgery tomorrow!

Questions? Contact our office today: (954) 922-7333