Corns

Corns at Westbourne Centre

Corns and calluses on the foot can be treated with over-the-counter remedies. But when they are recurring, the underlying problem may have more to do with the bones in your feet than just some ill-fitting shoes.

Corns and calluses are caused by friction, the rubbing of an area of your foot against your sock, shoe, or the ground. While caused in the same way, the two conditions are very different.

A callus is a thickened part of the skin, usually no more than 1 inch long, and most often found on the outside of the toes, on the bottom of the foot, or on the heel. Calluses are not usually painful.

A corn is much smaller, about 1/4 inch in diameter, round with a firm centre and inflamed around surrounding it. Corns are often painful to the touch, and agonizing when exposed to prolonged pressure.

Both of these occurrences only warrant attention if they become too painful or too unsightly. There are over-the-counter remedies for softening and removing corns and calluses, but if the underlying problem is determined to be bone-related, a surgical solution might be considered.

Corns can recur due to pressure from a prominent underlying bone. For example, if the corn recurs beneath the ball of the foot, the head of the metatarsal bone is usually too prominent and the metatarsal can be lifted or shortened to stop the corn coming back.

If corns recur in toes, the prominent underlying joint can be removed to prevent recurrence.

Related Treatments

Carpal Tunnel

Surgery to relieve pain caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist.

Find out more

Dupuytrens Fasciectomy

Surgery to remove scar-like tissue from under the skin of the fingers and palm of the hand.

Find out more

Ingrown Toenail

While you may think an ingrown toenail can be effectively treated at home by clipping the sharp edge digging into the skin, a large percentage of the population require a professional to assist as the condition is recurring, swollen or infected.

Find out more
Paying for yourself?

Get in touch

Need some advice on a treatment price or booking an initial appointment?

We're here to help.

Or send us a message...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.