Plantar warts can become painful and difficult to manage, particularly when they develop on weight-bearing areas of the foot. At Foot, Ankle & Body Experts, Dr Kim offers two procedural treatment options for plantar wart removal: Hyfrecator Treatment and Surgical Excision.
Dr Kim assesses the size, depth and location of each wart to determine the most appropriate removal technique, with consideration given to patient comfort, recovery and wound healing.
Plantar warts, also known as verrucae, are skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They commonly develop on the soles of the feet, particularly around the heels, toes and balls of the feet.
Unlike warts elsewhere on the body, plantar warts can be pushed inward by pressure from standing and walking. This can cause discomfort or pain, particularly when walking barefoot or placing pressure directly on the affected area.
Plantar warts may appear individually or in clusters, known as mosaic warts. They can also develop a thickened layer of skin over the surface, making them difficult to distinguish from corns or calluses.
Some plantar warts disappear naturally as the immune system gradually clears the infection. However, others can remain for months or even years, particularly when the body has difficulty clearing the virus.
When plantar warts develop on weight-bearing areas of the foot, repeated pressure from walking and standing can push the wart inward, causing thickened skin to develop around it. This may increase discomfort and make everyday activities painful.
If left untreated, plantar warts may:
Not every plantar wart requires removal. However, if a wart becomes painful, continues to spread or interferes with walking and daily activities, Dr Kim can assess the affected area and discuss whether procedural removal is appropriate.
Hyfrecator treatment uses controlled, high-frequency electrical energy to destroy plantar wart tissue through a process known as electrodessication.
The electrical energy generates heat within the targeted tissue, causing the wart cells to dehydrate and break down. Dr Kim carefully applies the treatment to the affected area while aiming to minimise unnecessary damage to the surrounding healthy skin.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
Hyfrecator treatment may be suitable for smaller, well-defined plantar warts and selected persistent lesions. Depending on the size and depth of the wart, further treatment may occasionally be necessary.
Surgical excision involves physically removing the plantar wart using sterile surgical instruments. This technique may be recommended for larger, deeper or particularly painful plantar warts where direct removal of the affected tissue is appropriate.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic to minimise discomfort while Dr Kim carefully removes the wart tissue.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
Surgical excision allows the visible wart tissue to be removed during the procedure.
Both Hyfrecator treatment and surgical excision aim to remove or destroy the affected wart tissue, but they use different techniques.
Hyfrecator Treatment uses electrical energy to destroy wart tissue, while Surgical Excision involves physically removing the affected tissue.
The most suitable approach depends on several factors, including:
During your consultation, Dr Kim will assess the affected area and recommend an appropriate treatment option, explaining the procedure, potential risks and expected recovery.
At Foot, Ankle & Body Experts, Dr Kim provides assessment and procedural removal of plantar warts, with an emphasis on selecting an appropriate treatment technique and supporting wound healing following the procedure.
Whether you have a single painful plantar wart or multiple lesions, Dr Kim can assess the affected area and discuss the available removal options.
