Injectable silicone (Corns, calluses, metatarsalgia)
Since we spend a large portion of our day upright, the bottom (plantar aspect) of our feet can experience a great deal of pressure. When you walk briskly, jog or run, your feet may experience greater than two times your total body weight. Many people often suffer from pain on the bottoms of their feet after prolonged periods of standing or walking. They may also experience painful corns or calluses of the feet which prevent them from wearing certain shoes or even walking barefoot.
Corns and calluses are formed by the body in response to areas of increased pressure. Increased areas of pressure develop as a result of losing the natural cushioning in your feet and exposing the underlying bone to repetitive stress from the ground called ground reactive forces. Cushioning in the feet is provided by subcutaneous fatty tissue. Subcutaneous fat diminishes as we age and over prolonged periods of continued pressure, similar to the wear on the soles of your tennis shoes. It can also be diminished in patients with diabetes or collagen vascular disease.
To date, there has been no way to replenish this loss of subcutaneous fat in the feet with the exception of injectable medical grade silicone. Inert medical grade silicone in very small amounts can be injected into areas of underlying corns and calluses to help restore a stable subdermal cushion between the skin and the bone. This often helps relieve pain and eliminate the corn or callus.
All drugs and medical devices have some degree of risk and these should be discussed with your physician prior to initiating any treatment regimen. The current level of scientific evidence supporting weight bearing pain relief far outweighs the associated risks.
Check back for a discussion on injectable silicone for use in preventing diabetic foot ulcers.
Bruce Werber DPM, FACFAS
www.arizonafeet.com
InMotion Foot & Ankle Specialists
Dr. Bruce Werber
10900 N. Scottsdale Road
Suite 604
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-948-2111
www.InMotionFootandAnkle.com
inmotionfootandankle@gmail.com
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