By Sam Fowler, PMAC, Office Manager, Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates
One of the biggest hurdles in healthcare is patient education. In order for a patient to make wise decisions regarding their health, they must be informed. These days, patients are doing their research via the Internet before coming into an office, which may seem like a good thing, but when that research is inaccurate or only partial truth, it can cause delays in proper treatment and healing.
One of the most common misconceptions I hear is regarding corns and callouses. A corn or callous is a hardened piece of skin. A corn and callous are actually the same condition, just located on different areas of the body. A buildup of skin on the TOP of the foot is a corn. A buildup of skin on the BOTTOM of the foot is a callous. You can remember the difference between a corn and a callous by thinking about all the sweet corn we grow here in Central Illinois. A stalk of corn grows out of the TOP of the ground, not underneath the ground like a potato — so a corn’s on top!
Regardless of whether we’re treating a corn or callous — with in-office medical debridement, or at-home softening agents — most patients think it will go away and not return. This is NOT true!
The corn/callous is actually a symptom of an underlying musculoskeletal problem or bone alignment. If your bones are not properly aligned, and one area of your foot is getting more pressure than other areas, your body’s natural defense to protect this area of increased pressure and friction is to build up the skin, creating the corn/callous. The corn/callous is there to protect that area of the body against more serious conditions that can develop from an imbalance, such as sores, blisters, or ulcerations. If you treat the corn/callous, you are only treating a reoccurring symptom, NOT correcting the actual musculoskeletal condition.
To prevent a corn/callous from coming back, we must treat the underlying musculoskeletal problem. Bunions, hammertoes, plantarflexed metatarsals, and even your arch type (high arch or low arch) are all common musculoskeletal issues that can lead to corns/callouses.
To correct a musculoskeletal imbalance, we must realign the foot. This is done with a custom insert called an orthotic. The orthotic replaces your normal shoe inserts, and realigns your foot into a natural neutral position instead of being pronated (walking inward from flat feet) or supination (walking outward from high arches).
If you have a medical problem, and want the truth about your condition, see a qualified doctor or medical professional. They can evaluate your specific problem, determine the best course of treatment, and dispel any misconceptions that you may have so that a small problem doesn’t turn into a big one.
To get your feet looking, feeling, and performing the way they once did, make an appointment with Dr. Melissa Lockwood at Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates, at 309- 661-9975 or www.HeartlandFootAndAnkle.com.