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What is Corn Removal Surgery?
Corn removal surgery is a surgical procedure that is done if the patient is suffering from unbearable pain due to a corn, which has not been cured by medication and home remedies. Corn removal surgery is very effective in stopping the corn from recurring as it helps in removing pressure and friction that cause corns.
How is Corn Removal Surgery Performed?
Corn removal surgery may be performed to remove hard corns (Heloma Durum) or soft corns (Heloma Molle).
- 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.
How to Prepare for Corn Removal Surgery?
- The doctor should be informed if the patient has any ailments or medical conditions.
- The doctor should be informed about any medication that the patient is taking with or without a prescription.
- The patient is advised to stop smoking to ensure a quick recovery.
Duration of procedure/surgery:15 to 30 minutes
Days admitted:Corn removal surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure.
Anesthesia:Local Anesthesia
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.
Risks:- Excessive swelling
- Healing delay
- Recurrence of the corn if the sufficient amount of bone is not removed
- Limp toe for a few weeks
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.
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