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Calluses and Corns, Sports Medicine

Kathleen Weber, MD, MS and Shannon Powers, DO Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

  • Calluses and corns are common skin conditions.

  • They result from increased pressure or friction; typically located on the hands and feet

  • A callus is an adaptive response to repetitive friction.

  • Cal...

DIAGNOSIS

  • The diagnosis of calluses and corns is based on their clinical appearance.

  • Radiographs may be obtained if your physician suspects an underlying bony prominence is a contributing factor.

HISTORY

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Treatment is aimed at providing symptomatic relief and avoiding the underlying mechanical forces that caused the development of the callus or corn 1,2,3,4[C]: 
  • Careful and reg...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Follow-up is needed for ongoing corns and calluses despite conservative management, signs of infection, or severe pain. 

Patient Monitoring

  • Diabetics, the elderly, ...

REFERENCES

1
Freeman DB. Corns and calluses resulting from mechanical hyperkeratosis. Am Fam Physician.  2002;65(11):2277–2280.
2
Phillips S, Seiverling E, Silvis M. Pressure and friction injuries i...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Robbins JM. Recognizing, treating, and preventing common foot problems. Cleve Clin J Med.  2000;67(1):45–47, 51–52, 55–56.

  • Spink MJ, Menz HB, Lord SR. Distribution and correlate...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Calluses and corns are common skin conditions resulting from repetitive friction or pressure.

  • Diagnosis is often clinical, but imaging may be needed to evaluate an underlying bony promi...

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