Arthritis corn

by Nathan Wei, MD, FACP, FACR

Nathan Wei is a board-certified rheumatologist and author of the Second Opinion Arthritis Treatment Kit. It's available exclusively at this website... not available in stores.

Click here: Second Opinion Arthritis Treatment Kit



A corn is a highly concentrated callus that occurs at a pressure point, such as the top of the toe or under a toe joint.

A corn typically has a hard, waxy core, which bores down into the skin and presses on the underlying tissue and nerves, causing extreme pain. Corns are caused by a great deal of pressure or friction on the toes, usually from ill-fitting shoes or high heels.

Often the site for corns is on the outside of the big or baby toes, since these are the points where pressure occurs. Corns that form between the toes are called soft corns, and they are not as firm as other corns because of moistness between the toes. Corn pads should not be used between the toes for soft corns.

Severe or persistent corns should be treated by a doctor. Persons with diabetes, atherosclerosis or other circulatory diseases should never treat a corn themselves because of the risk of infection. Many acid preparations are available for reducing corns. Acid preparations should not be used by diabetic patients and are not advisable for individuals with impaired sensation or for the elderly with thin skin.

Corns are often associated with other foot problems related to arthritis. Bunions (also know as hallux valgus) are enlargements of the joint at the base of the big toe usually caused by migration of the first metatarsal bone. This forces the toe to bend toward the others, causing a lump of bone on the foot. A bunionette occurs over the fifth metatarsal head (by the “baby” toe) due to pressure from a shoe on the outside of the foot.

Bunions and bunionettes have many causes, including heredity, but tight shoes and high heels are the leading cause of painful bunions. Therefore, wearing wide, soft, comfortable shoes should be the initial treatment of choice. When this fails and when the pain interferes with your lifestyle, surgical correction may be indicated. Surgery is not indicated for cosmetic reasons alone.

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