The corn removal procedure involves the trimming of corn by shaving off the dead layers of skin with the use of a scalpel.

Although the idea of corn surgery may seem extreme to some people, it is the most efficient method of long-lasting relief from corn pain. Corn removal is effective in getting rid of the pressure, friction and other uncomfortable pain sensations.

Corn Removal Surgery Candidates

Candidates for this procedure are those who have corns on their feet. Corns, though, are more prevalent in women as a result of wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes.

Corn Removal Surgery Outcome & Benifits

The corn removal procedure is typically performed during an office visit and approximately takes about fifteen minutes to half an hour. A local anesthetic is sufficient for this surgery in most cases.

Prepare for Ankle Replacement

Once the decision to proceed with surgery is made, there are several things that may need to be done. Your foot and ankle surgeon may suggest a complete physical examination by your medical or family doctor. This is to ensure that you are in the best possible condition to undergo the operation. You may also need to spend time with the physical therapist who will be managing your rehabilitation after the surgery.

On occasion a therapist will begin the teaching process before the surgery to ensure that you are ready for the rehabilitation afterwards. This includes measurements of your current pain levels, functional abilities, and the available movement and strength of each ankle. A second purpose of the preoperative visit is to prepare you for your upcoming surgery. You’ll begin to practice using crutches since you will need to use these for several weeks after surgery.

Finally, an assessment will be made of any needs you’ll have at home once you’re released from the hospital. On the day of your surgery, you will probably be admitted to the hospital early in the morning. You will be instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.

You should plan on being in the hospital for one to two nights following surgery. How long depends on your progress with physical therapy, how much discomfort you are in, your ability to get out of bed, and success using crutches or a walker. To perform an ankle replacement, you may be placed under general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or you may have a spinal type anesthetic.

Corn Removal Surgery Overview

Corn removal surgery may be performed to remove hard corns (Heloma Durum) or soft corns (Heloma Molle).

During the procedure, the doctor will make an incision on the top of the fifth toe. The ligaments about the joint in the toe are freed to allow exposure of the head of the bone called the proximal phalanx. The fifth toe bone is the portion that is pressing on the base of the fourth toe. The head of the proximal phalanx in the fifth toe is then cut and taken away. If the toe is contracted or curled, then the tendon in the bottom of the fifth toe is released. Depending on the situation, the doctor will also make a small incision at the base of the fourth toe and smooth the bone in this region. In rare instances, the skin between the fourth and fifth toes may be so severely damaged that fixing the bone problem alone will not heal the soft corn. When this happens, the damaged skin between the toes must be eliminated. This procedure called a syndactylism requires taking out the damaged skin between the toes and sewing the fourth and fifth toes together. Although this may seem drastic, the procedure shows no loss of foot function and results in a good cosmetic outcome.

Hard Corns

• A corn removal surgery is performed to remove a hammertoe that causes corns. The painful corns and hammertoe deformities are usually surgically removed by digital arthroplasty and arthrodesis.
• During arthroplasty, a piece of the bone within the proximal or distal interphalangeal joints is removed.
• This helps in straightening the toe after which the enlarged bone beneath a corn can be removed.
• The procedure of arthrodesis is similar to arthroplasty; however, instead of removing the bone, the two bones are joined together.
• Arthrodesis may result in a rigid toe, but the recurrence of corns will be reduced.
• Apart from arthroplasty and arthrodesis, the tendon may be lengthened to loosen the metatarsophalangeal joint, which totally removes the hammertoe distortion.

Soft Corns

• Soft corns are similar to hard corns but they are a result of pressure between two toes instead of an external pressure caused by a shoe.
• An arthroplasty is performed, during which a piece of the bone within the proximal or distal interphalangeal joints is removed.
• This helps in removing the enlarged bone beneath a corn.
• In cases of recurrent soft corns with prior unsuccessful surgeries, a syndactylization procedure is performed.
• This is done by stitching the skin at the bottom of the two toes together, which forms a partial web at the toes.
  

Corn Removal Surgery Recovery

The patient will feel mild pain for 2 to 3 days after the surgery. Pain medication will be provided to control the pain. The surgical stitches will be removed in 10 to 14 days after the surgery. The patient will take approximately 3 to 4 weeks to recover from the surgery and return to normal activities.

Corn Removal After Care

The patient should avoid using the foot after surgery and should keep the foot elevated to a level above the heart for a minimum of three days. The patient should limit using the foot for 2 to 3 weeks, and should not walk barefoot for 3 weeks after the surgery. The patient is required to wear surgical sandals for approximately 3 weeks or until the swelling is reduced. Not wearing it may result in swelling, infection and delayed healing.

Corn Removal Possible Risks

There are hardly any complications with this surgery. The most common problem associated with this procedure is the excessive swelling which may delay the healing process. Post-operative infection rates are minimal, but the risk escalates if the surgical site is not kept dry. A reoccurrence of the condition is probable if sufficient bone is not eliminated or if the patient goes back to wearing shoes that are too close-fitting. If too much bone is taken out, then the toe may be floppy. It is usual for the toe to feel floppy for a few weeks following the surgery. In general, the toe stiffens eventually.