A corn is a hard, thickened area of skin that usually forms on the top or sides of the toes. When conservative treatment options don’t help, a surgery might be recommended to treat this foot problem. This HealthHearty article provides information on the cost of the corn removal surgery, which would vary depending on the complexity of the procedure employed.
A corn is an area of thickened skin which develops when pressure is repeatedly exerted on small areas that are located over a bony prominence. This explains why these appear on the toes. It is the accumulation of dead skin cells in the center that gives it a conical shape. A toe corn could develop on the top of a toe or between toes. A hardened area of skin that develops on the top of a toe is called a hard corn. On the other hand, a soft corn is a painful lesion that develops between the toes. Though this foot problem could sometimes be treated with the help of natural remedies, it is only in severe cases that surgical removal is recommended.
Surgery for Toe Corns
If you have developed a painful corn, you must immediately consult a podiatrist. More often than not, a podiatrist would first suggest conservative treatment options for this foot condition.
Simple Procedure
In most cases, the treatment involves the use of a scalpel blade to remove the dead skin, thereby allowing the affected area to heal again. This is a routine treatment, which is why one may just need to pay a basic appointment charge. Once the dead skin has been pared, you just need to make sure that there is no pressure or friction on the affected area.
Laser Treatment
At times, laser might be used in place of a scalpel blade. This non-invasive laser treatment lasts for a few minutes. You might end up shelling out a few hundred dollars. However, the cost would vary, depending on the size of the corn and the type of laser that is used. Other factors that affect the cost include the size and the location of the corn. The cost would also increase in case of a hard corn that has a solid core. The cost would be higher, depending on how deep or far, the corn has extended into the foot. The cost would increase, if the podiatrist suggests the use of orthotics or other OTC products. Thus, the cost would vary from case to case.
Bunion Surgery
Basic corn removal usually costs around a few hundred dollars, but the surgery cost would naturally increase, if it involves correcting a structural bone deformity. For instance, one may develop a soft corn between the fourth and the fifth toe. Under these circumstances, the surgeon will have to scrape off some of the widened bone of the fourth and fifth phalanges to increase the width between the toes. As this procedure is slightly complicated, the cost of this surgery would be more. Sometimes, such thickened pads of skin may develop on a bunion. A bunion is a painful enlargement at the big toe joint. A bunion surgery will cost you anywhere between USD 4,000 and USD 8,000. The cost could be less or more, depending on the location of the hospital.
Hammertoe Surgery
People who are affected by a structural foot deformity called hammertoes might be susceptible to corns. Thus, to prevent corns in future, one might be asked to undergo a surgery to straighten the contracted toes. The surgery would involve the removal of a section of the bone of the toe joint. This surgery may cost you anywhere between USD 4,000 to USD 7,000. Again, the cost of hammertoe correction surgery would depend on the number of toes that are affected, location of the hospital or clinic, the expertise of the surgeon, extent of the abnormality, etc. The cost would increase in the event of complications. The patient might even end up shelling anywhere between USD 10,000 to USD 30,000.
Basically, the cost would include:
➠ Hospital fee
➠ Surgeon’s fee
➠ Fees of the anesthesiologist
➠ Materials or garments for the surgery
➠ Pre-surgical care
➠ Post-surgical care
➠ Follow-up visits
➠ Medication
Basically, the cost would include:
➠ Conduct research to find out about specialized clinics where the surgery cost is less. However, make sure that they are trustworthy, and offer good services.
➠ Get the procedure performed in a clinic or hospital that is recognized by your health insurance company.
Non-surgical Treatment Options
The accumulation of dead skin cells on the underside of the foot or on top or the sides of toes could take place in response to friction or pressure. Friction from tight or ill-fitting shoes is one of the common causes for the formation of corns. Anatomical abnormalities of the feet or an abnormal gait can also make one susceptible to corns and calluses. Those who are born with bone abnormalities are most likely to develop corns. Those who wear tight shoes with narrow toe boxes are also susceptible. When there isn’t ample space in the toe box, the big toe or the fifth toe may be subjected to pressure. One may develop a hard or a soft corn due to pressure from ill-fitting shoes. If left untreated, corns can put pressure on the underlying tissues and nerves, thereby causing pain. Swelling, pain, and inflammation around the corn can cause a lot of discomfort.
If the corn is not causing severe pain, you could opt for the following non-surgical methods:
➠ One could use corn removal products. Most of these products contain salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps dissolve the accumulated protein that is present under the layers of dead skin cells.
➠ One may also benefit from the use of good-quality orthotic devices such as insoles or silicone foot pads prescribed by a podiatrist.
➠ As toe corns mostly develop due to friction from ill-fitting shoes, make sure that you wear shoes that fit you properly. It would be best to wear shoes that have a wide toe box.
If you wish to prevent the recurrence of corns, invest in good-quality footwear. If a corn is causing severe pain or discomfort, seek medical help at the earliest. If a bone deformity is responsible for causing this foot problem, you might need a surgery for correcting the deformity. Such a procedure would cost more, as it might involve the removal of a section of the bone of the toe joint. So, don’t wait till the symptoms worsen, as you might end up shelling out more money, if complications arise.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informative purposes only. The costs are subject to change, and might differ from region to region.
