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Do I need surgery?

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by Unregistered, Sep 3, 2009.

  1. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest


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    Hi, I developed a corn on the outer ball of my foot in 1995, I now have 2 on both ball areas. I have been seen by podiatry and various insoles made etc none of which help to relieve the problem altogether but I can't walk without them. On my biomechanical assessment, I was told that when I walk my feet claw up and that my outer metatarsal bone has dropped (I'm sorry, I wasn't told any medical terms for it). They have offered me surgery to break the bone to lift it. When examining my feet I have over-flexing across the width which apparently is because of the metatarsal bones. My concern is that the surgeon hasn't x-rayed my foot or examined it thoroughly - the only examination was to stand on the floor and I may have walked up and down (I don't remember). So I'm not sure how he can make a diagnosis without investigation. Also, the tip of my big toe on the same foot is numb and has been for about 8 years and no-one can tell me why. Recently, I have noticed a slight sharp pain on the outer ball of my right foot when I press on it and am worried that I have a corn developing there. I suffer with Fibromyalgia and have done also since 1995 and I don't know if this is related, as I am now regularly losing use of my legs, they feel like I have cement in my shoes).
    Its very painful when I walk and I have to pare the corns down daily to be able to walk at all but I'm worried about surgery. They said they would laser the corns out during the operation but cannot tell me if walking on scar tissue will be any less painful! I'm not sure if this is the right surgery for me. Does anyone have any advise please.
    Regards, Teri
     
  2. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    DISCLAIMER:
    THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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    I tend to think that you are probably talking about a callous rather than a corn. If that is the case and if the callous is directly beneath a metatarsal head, surgery of various types to relieve the pressure from the metatarsal head is often indicated for attempted permanent correction. In order to assess the location of the callous in relation to the metatarsal head, it is my procedure to mark the callous' outline with a fine wire taped to the plantar skin of the foot and then x-ray the foot while weight-bearing. Bone surgery is not the only way to treat a callous, but is often the most effect way to obtain a hoped for permanent resolution. I am not sure understand the rationale for lasering of the lesion, and I would not recommend anything that would result in a plantar scar. If instead of a callous, you are talking about a plantar seed corn, then none of the above applies. Without an examination, i cannot tell you what the sharp pain or the numbness might be all about, but before agreeing to any surgery I would highly recommend that you be comfortable with your doctor and his/her assessment and diagnosis of your case. If you have doubts, seek a second opinion from a well-vetted specialist.
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2009
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