Corns

Question 1

What is a corn?

Answer 1

A small deep concentrated mass of immature ‘cornified’ cells

Question 2

What is parakeratosis?

Answer 2

keratosis whereby the keratocytes retain the nucleus in the stratum corneum

Question 3

Define Hypertrophy

Answer 3

Increase and growth of cells

Question 4

Definition of Heloma Durum?

Answer 4

Clinical Abbreviation = HD
Small well circumcised hypertrophy of the epidermis with parakeratotic core

Question 5

Where does Heloma Durum Occur

Answer 5

Normally occurs on dorsal aspect of IP joints, under metatarsal heads, and apices of digits

Question 6

Heloma Durum Observations

Answer 6

Usually looks yellow/gray

Question 7

What is the etiology (Causes) of Heloma Durum?

Answer 7

Intermittent compression / Shear
Extrinsic factors - poor / ill fitting shoes, high level physical activity, toe deformities

Question 8

What is the definiton of Heloma Molle

Answer 8

Clinical Abbreviation = H Molle
Soft corn
Located interdigitally, normally between 4th and 5th digits
Has a macerated, white appearence
‘Rubbery texture’

Question 9

Where is Heloma Molle located

Answer 9

Located interdigitally, normally between 4th and 5th digits

Question 10

Heloma Molle Observations

Answer 10

Macerated/white
rubbery

Question 11

What is the etiology (causes) of Heloma Molle?

Answer 11

Normally intermittent compression, due to:
Tight footwear
Digital deformities
Hyperhidrosis - excessive sweat

Question 12

What is the definition of Heloma Millare?

Answer 12

“Seed corn”
small area of Hyperkeratosis

Question 13

What is the aetiology (Causes) of H Mille?

Answer 13

Thought to occur in response to a combination of forces
Common areas are Calcaneous and 2nd MTPJ
Usually chronic
Can present as asymptomatic - sometimes patients do not report pain
Normally occur at the periphery of weight-bearing areas

Question 14

What is the definiton of Heloma Vasculare

Answer 14

Clinical Abbreviation = H Vasc
A corn with intrusion from vascularised dermal tissue.

Question 15

Where is Heloma Vascualre located

Answer 15

Common locations:
Digital apices
Dorsal IPJ
Plantar 1st MTPJ

Question 16

What is the aetiology (causes) of H Vasc?

Answer 16

Normally excessive mechanical stress:
Excessive intermittent compression
Deep shear
Digital deformity
poor footwear

Question 17

What is the definiton of Heloma Neurovasculare?

Answer 17

Clinical Abbreviation = HNV
Is a Heloma Durum with intrusion of vascularised dermal tissue into the epidermis, with nerve involvement

Question 18

What is the aetiology causes) of HNV?

Answer 18

Chronic mechanical stress - excessive intermittent compression
toe deformities

Question 19

What is the definiton of Fibrous corn

Answer 19

Clinical Abbreviation = HFib
Long standing corn with presence of fibrous tissue in the dermis

Question 20

What is the aetiology(causes) of HFib?

Answer 20

Excessive deep shearing
Intermittent Compression

Question 21

What are characteristics of Durlachers Corn?

Answer 21

Heloma Durum lateral to the 5th toe nail
“extra nail” complaint

Question 22

What is the aetiology(causes) of Durlachers Corn?

Answer 22

Deformity

Question 23

What is the initial step in the management of treating corns?

Answer 23

Initial step- extablish the cause
diagnostic examination to establish cause
full history of lesion
foot shape
shoes style
shoe wear marks

Question 24

What different treatment options are there for corns?

Answer 24

sharp scalpel debridement and enucleation
podospray
patient advice; footwear; emollient use
silicon/ototform toe seperators
padding/strapping
caustics - saliciylic acid
marigold therapy
surgery