Warts Surgery

What exactly are plantar warts?

These skin growths result from a viral infection caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), with only specific HPV strains leading to warts on the feet, officially termed verruca or plantar warts. While generally not a major health concern, they can be contagious and painful to walk on.

Typically, warts can go away on their own, but plantar warts often need active treatment and removal because they can be quite painful, especially when located on the sole of the foot. Some warts may disappear after a few treatments, but if they've been around for a while, it might take several months of treatment to fully get rid of them.

Surgical plantar wart removal

Curettage is a surgical procedure used to treat warts. During this process, the podiatrist numbs the area around the wart with a local anesthetic. Then, the podiatrist removes the wart tissue, revealing the underlying healthy skin.

Process

Before the surgery:

Before the surgery, the patient will have a consultation with our podiatrist to discuss the procedure and ensure that it is the best option for their particular case. 

During the surgery:

The type of wart surgery will depend on the patient's individual case and the location of the wart. Local anesthesia will be used to numb the area and prevent pain during the surgery. The surgeon will then perform the chosen surgical method to remove the wart.

After the surgery:

After the surgery, the patient may experience some pain, swelling, and redness at the site of the surgery. The podiatrist will provide instructions for post-surgery care, such as keeping the area clean and dry, changing bandages regularly, and avoiding certain activities that could cause the area to become irritated. The patient will need to schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure that the wart has been fully removed and to monitor the healing process.

Recovery:

The recovery time for wart surgery can vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient. Most patients are able to resume normal activities within a few days to a week after the surgery.