Julia Hayman (GV48) from On the Ball Orthotics and Jayne Hill (GV29) from Vintage Health Link are great referring partners who share a space at On the Ball Orthotics. Their specialties complement each other very well due to the complex nature of feet.

Julia: I am a Pedorthist who specializes in the treatment of foot, knee, hip and lower back pain through footwear and foot orthotics. Common conditions are plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, shin splints, diabetes, and arthritis to name a few. Proper support helps to relieve stress and strain caused from the way the feet are moving. I enjoy all types of exercise and the outdoors. In my spare time I like to keep busy with volunteer work, especially with the Rotaract Club of Barrie.

Jayne: I am an Advanced Footcare Nurse who provides treatment for foot conditions such as calluses, corns, ingrown toenails, and trimming of thick and fungal nails. Diabetic foot assessments and lower limb assessments are also a part of my scope of practice. Next year I will be celebrating 40 years as an R.N. I have an awesome husband and 4 grown boys. I feel fortunate to live in an area of Barrie with hiking, kayaking and swimming very close and do these activities on a regular basis. I am an outdoorsy person who loves nature and it’s calming effects. Not just while out in it but also painting it as a landscape artist. I’m hoping to do more travelling when things open up again. My trip to Sicily for a artists retreat last year was cancelled due to the pandemic.

What are some of these conditions they help you manage and some tips on preventing (or recognizing) some of these conditions? Just below see how to prevent corns and calluses.

Foot Tips for the Pandemic Life:

Wear indoor shoes: As most of us are at home more often these days, shoes may not be worn as frequently. Increase barefoot or unsupported walking can lead to an increase in pressure to the bottom of the feet, leading to calluses, corns, or other pain.
Wear the proper shoes during activity, both indoors and outdoors: The proper shoes are important during activities like walking, running or at home exercises. If the shoes are too tight or loose, extra pressure is put on areas of the foot, leading to calluses, corns, or other pain.
Get your feet checked: If your daily routine includes more walking/activity, it may be a good time to get your feet checked out. With a change in routine, the body may need additional support to protect from these calluses, corns, or other pain.

Calluses and Corns

Here are some tips for how to prevent corns and calluses. (Of course if you have them, let us help you treat them. We go through how to prevent calluses and corns from coming back.).

What are calluses and corns? Thickened areas of skin. A corn tends to be deeper and have a more packed centre than a callus. It is often smaller and more painful.

Prevention

We will be able to remove calluses or corns for you, but you can prevent them by offloading any pressure areas causing these skin irritations.

Foot orthotics help to offload pressure and/or rubbing (shear). They can support the arch if your arches has collapsed.

Proper fitting shoes prevent pressure and shear that happens as a result of badly fitting shoes. Look at the length, width and depth to make sure shoes fit properly.

Here are some tips:

The length should be spaced about a thumb’s width (0.5”-0.75”) between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe. (Hint: the longest toe may be the second toe).
The width should be wide enough that the sides of are not bulging out of the shoe. You can test this by removing and standing on the shoe’s insole. Make sure the widest points of the front of the foot should be in line with outline of the insole.
The Depth: Try and pinch the material at the end of the laces (towards to toes). It should have some play, but not enough to grab with both fingers.

We can recommend over the counter medicated creams that work well to soften the hard skin. Foam pads and small toe coverings can also help.

Causes

Why do corns and calluses happen? This thickened skin is a response to an area of higher pressure or rubbing (shearing). To protect the skin, the body responds by thickening and hardening it.

When your footwear does not fit properly: if your shoes are too small, too narrow, too short, aren’t deep enough, or are too big (so your foot slides around in the shoe).
Any bony prominences on the foot may cause excessive pressure and rubbing from the shoe if it’s not fitted properly. If your foot is moving “abnormally”, E.g. The inside of the big toe is a common location for callusing when an arch collapses or you have flat feet.
With a high arch, pressure typically occurs at the opposite side of the foot.
Another common area for pressure is when the ball of the foot collapses.
Toes that are stuck in a bent position (hammer toes) or toes that are tight together can develop calluses and corns on the top of them, on the ends or even between the toes from rubbing.

Julia Hayman, 705-252-1177 Jayne Hill, 705-716-1574
https://ontheballorthotics.ca/ http://vintagehealthlink.ca/

On the Ball Orthotics
5-750 Big Bay Point Road
Barrie, ON, L4M 5X2