For 40 years, Lee’s Summit resident Kathy P. dealt with a corn on her left little toe. During that time, she visited 7 to 8 podiatrists who provided various recommendations for her issue. A corn is a small area of hardened, dead skin that develops when the foot experiences repeated friction or pressure.
“About every three months, I would go to the podiatrist to get the corn shaved off, so it would quit hurting so bad. I couldn't go three months without my little toe hurting from rubbing on my shoe. I was so tired of the pain,” adds Kathy.
Understanding the Limits of Foot Pain
Kathy met her husband, John, at a dance at the Independence American Legion Post, and they continue to dance nearly every Saturday night. However, after three months of dancing, her little toe hurt so badly that she could barely walk, let alone dance.
Kathy is active in the community as a member of several General Federation of Women's Clubs. The organization is the oldest and largest women's international volunteer organization. Through the clubs, she volunteers several times a month. When volunteering for Harvesters Food Bank, Giving the Basics, and Happy Bottoms, her painful corn made it miserable for her to stand and assemble snacks, hygiene products, disposable diapers, and other essential items for these organizations.
“Because my toe hurt so bad, I would often ask for a volunteer job where I could sit down,” adds Kathy.
Navigating Options for Corn Removal
The first podiatrist Kathy met with 40 years ago recommended surgery to remove the last bone in her little toe. She opted for that surgery on both feet because she had a corn on both little toes at the time. It resolved the issue on her right foot, but not her left foot.
Several years later, a podiatrist performed an x-ray of her foot and noticed that the bone had grown back, and the corn returned on her left little toe. The podiatrist suggested surgery to remove the end of the little toe.
“One wanted to perform surgery where he would cut off the end of my little toe. Because I wouldn't have a toenail on that little toe, I didn't want that surgery.”
The next podiatrist suggested she release the tendon in the fourth and fifth toe on her left foot so the toes would lie flat instead of at an angle. Another podiatrist said that option wouldn't work and she recommended drilling into the bone on her little toe and smoothing the bone to keep the toe from rubbing on her shoe and causing the corn.
At the urging of a friend, Kathy scheduled an appointment with Lee’s Summit foot and ankle specialist Joel Foster, DPM. Dr. Foster is trained in all aspects of foot and ankle care. He provides conservative treatment, and performs innovative minimally invasive surgical procedures.
“When I visited with Dr. Foster, I told him about these various treatment options from other podiatrists. He said he didn’t need to cut off the end of my toe, but rather a combination of what the last two podiatrists recommended,” adds Kathy.
Flexor Tenotomy Procedure
After a comprehensive surgical consultation with Kathy, Dr. Foster performed a minimally invasive tenotomy on her 4th and 5th toe. He also performed a procedure to smooth off the part of the bone in her little toe that was rubbing on her shoe.
“Dr. Foster did a great job. He explained everything that would happen during surgery and answered all my questions.”
Post-Operative Recovery, Patient Recommendation
Kathy definitely recommends this minimally invasive procedure to others. She experienced little pain, and only took a few Tylenol the first few days after surgery.
“I no longer have a corn on my left little toe and my shoes fit well. I'm free from pain!”
“The recovery went well. I had to keep my foot dry for two weeks. I purchased the cast protector from Dr. Foster and it did a great job of keeping my foot dry.
At her two-week check-up, Dr. Foster demonstrated for Kathy how to tape her toes to keep them at the correct angle until her next follow-up appointment.
“I was most impressed with the fact that after surgery, he gave me his card with his cell phone number. He told me to call him any time of the day or night during the weekend if I had any problems after surgery. That has never happened with other surgeries I have had. I always had to call an answering service that would call the surgeon on-call. That gave me peace of mind to know that Dr. Foster was just a phone call away,” adds Kathy.
Why Choose Minimally Invasive Surgery
.jpg)
Minimally invasive surgical techniques offer significant advantages over traditional open surgeries, including:
-
Lower complication risks. Smaller incisions mean less opportunity for infections and post-surgery wound-healing complications.
-
Less post-operative pain and scarring. Smaller incisions also mean less pain and swelling after the operation and often a better aesthetic result as well.
-
More convenient, lower cost. The majority of minimally invasive surgical procedures can be done in Dr. Foster’s surgical room, rather than making a trip to the hospital. This could save you thousands of dollars of hospital and anesthesia charges.
-
Faster treatment. In some cases, you’re out the door just 45 minutes after your procedure, and most people can return to work and resume normal activities faster than with traditional surgery.
The Comfort You Need, The Expertise You Trust.
If you find yourself avoiding activities you once enjoyed because of foot pain, struggling to find comfortable shoes or dealing with progressive deformities that continue worsening despite conservative treatment, surgical correction may offer the permanent solution you need.
Joel Foster, DPM, is one of the most experienced minimally invasive foot surgeons in the Greater Kansas City area, having successfully performed thousands of minimally invasive procedures.
Patients travel from all over the United States (and outside the country) to access Dr. Foster’s expertise in minimally invasive surgery. The combination of superior results, quicker recovery and personalized care makes the journey worthwhile for those seeking the best possible outcome.
Dr. Foster is a double board-certified surgeon, earning certification in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS), and is among fewer than 40 doctors nationwide to achieve board certification in Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery by the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry (ABMSP).
Dr. Foster is offering free surgical consultations for a limited time! Click here to complete the form and schedule your consultation today!
