Mechanical Hyperkeratosis

Mechanical Hyperkeratosis

Most common presenting foot complaint  reason for the original development of the podiatric profession.
Due to thickening/aggregation of the keratinised layers of the skin from increased mechanical forces.

‘Corns’ – lay terminology; ‘Tyloma’ – more commonly used in USA; ‘Clavus’ – old terminology.

Histologically – hyperkeratosis, increased fibroblast activity, rete pegs elongate, stratum spinosum thickens

Presence of hyperkeratotic lesions is indicative of some underlying mechanical dysfunction. It is assumed that the excessive stress for a prolonged period of time  stimulates release of growth factors and inflammatory mediators