Painful 5th toe! What is a lister corn?

At least one new patient per day comes in complaining of a painful baby toe. I will write a series of blogs over the next few weeks about the fifth or "baby" toe over the next few weeks. The little toe often has problems as it is shorter than the rest, often not perfectly straight, and rubs on our shoes. Plus, since it is on the outside of the foot and small, it can get injured more easily. Today's blog will focus on the lister corn. This is a corn that develops on the side of the fifth toenail. Patients often complain of a split nail or fungal nail when they have this condition. The area is thicker than the nail on most occasions and can be very irritating because of the thickness and subsequent rubbing against the shoe. Additionally, the toe itself may be in a curved position with this condition, which makes it easier to develop a lister corn. In office treatments for this condition include trimming, padding, and changes in shoe gear. Pointed or tight shoes and shoes made of harder materials may aggravate the lister corn. Additionally, surgery to straighten the toe and remove any prominent bone under the corn may be needed. Toe pain? Give us a call, 708-763-0580. Dr. Bender