Corns

[Artseldy]

My mother is 93 years old and has never had her bunions treated. Although she wears wide shoes she has a corn that continually returns and is sooo painful for her. I've taken her to the doctor every few months who shaves it down but that procedure is so painful for her and I'm disappointed at how insensitive some doctors are to the pain involved, especially in an older person.......what happened to bedside manner in this Country?....I want to be able to have them put her under and do a thorough job of it. I then will look into her wearing slippers or something to keep pressure off of this area. It's like taking a child to the doctor for a painful procedure. Is there any type of numbing cream I can put on it for her in the meantime.

thanks for any suggestions you can give.
Artseldy

[footdr4u]

Has your mother tried padding the bunion with any kind of bunion pads? There are numerous ones on the market including doughnut type pads and different bunion shields. These pads and shields will decrease the pressure which is causing the corn on the bunion. After the corn has been debrided, use these pads to help slow it from coming back. There are also urea creams out there and urea breaks down thick skin. An over the counter brand is Kerasal. There are also many by prescription. Use the cream every day after it has been debrided to help it from getting so big and to soften. As far as numbing creams, there is a Lidocaine 5 % ointment that may be applied an half hour before you go back to your doctor before the procedure is performed that may reduce the pain. Or you can ask your doctor to numb the area with an injection before the procedure. There is also a Lidoderm 5 % patch that is by prescription and can be worn for 12 hours per day. I think that padding, using the urea cream, wider shoes, and having some kind of numbing before the procedure may help your mother's next visit to the foot doctor. This is what I do for all my patients!! I hope this helps!! Good Luck!!

[Artseldy]

Thank you so much for your help. I actually had 2 doctors look me when I've asked how we can reduce the pain during these procedures and they both just shrugged, looked at me as if to say, your mother is old, there isn't much that can be done". You are very thoughtful to take the time to reply and I know you must have a successful practice because you take the time to consider these issues.

She has worn the pads to cover her bunions for years now, but she is no longer able to put them on herself. I do it whenever I get a chance. She is in Assisted Living and the doctor is coming next week. I will pick up some of the ointment as suggested; that may help keep the discomfort to a minimum. I'll also request the on-site nurse to see that the pads are put on by her caregivers and to be aware of her pain when they remove and put on her shoes.

God bless you....and I mean that! ;-)
Artseldy