Calluses
Description:
A callus is a thick formation of skin commonly found on ball of the foot, heel, sides of the foot. Calluses (and corns) are caused by excessive pressure or friction from prominent bone structures. The skin simply thickens in response to the weight of your body on these structures combined with stiff or restrictive shoes and your daily activities.
This condition is associated with other foot conditions such as:
Pain ranges from dull to sharp, depending upon the level of irritation and compression of the nerves around these areas.
Treatment: Conservative Care:
| Shoes: | A larger, softer shoe can relieve the direct pressure orpressure from adjacent toes. Make sure that the shoe has enough room at the end about the width of your thumb and that the toe box (front of the shoe) is high enough to allow your toes to move freely. |
| Paring: | Reduction by either professional sharp debridement shaving or consistent filing will give temporary relief. Use with caution over the counter callus removal medication or pads. The medication contains a type of acid that can cause an ulceration or infection if used improperly or in excess. |
| Padding: | There is an array of over the counter callus pads. They can be placed directly over the callus or on either side of the skin lesion to relieve the pressure. |
| Arch support: | Temporary arch supports or custom molded orthotics will give pressure relief and is the best solution for long term treatment with or without surgical intervention. |
Surgical Options:
The bone structure causing the pressure is either remodeled and smoothed down or repositioned. Depending on the location or severity, the skin lesion or callus itself is removed during the procedure or it will naturally fall off 3 to 4 weeks after the surgery. Incisions are minimal and vary in size (average 1.5cm to 3/4 inch). Sutures are removed at 2 weeks. The procedure is performed at an outpatient facility under sedation. Partial weight bearing is allowed after 48 to 72 hours of non weight bearing if the bone is remodeled. Partial weight bearing is allowed after 1 to 3 weeks of non weight bearing with crutches if the bone is repositioned.
