A plantar wart, medically known as a verruca, is a virus (specifically, the Human Papillomavirus) that is often transmitted in our childhood years, though can be transmitted at any age. The virus infects the outer skin layer, causing a lesion to appear at the surface of the skin on the bottom of the feet.
A verruca tends to have a rough feel on the surface of the skin, may have an irregular (not always circular) shape and may have dark dots throughout the lesion, which are actually small blood vessels. While they are not always painful when pushed down on, they may elicit pain when squeezed from the sides. Warts may present as a single wart or in groups, and the sizes can vary greatly.
Surgical Excision of Plantar Warts
The surgical excision of plantar warts works by removing the wart in its entirety from the top layer of skin in the foot. Essentially, the infected viral cells that comprise the wart are separated from the healthy, surrounding skin and the ‘scooped’ out of the skin. Surgery is typically indicated when the wart is present on a painful and high-pressure area of the foot, which in turns interferes with carrying out daily activities, causing you discomfort and pain.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Verruca Surgery Consultation | |
| Verruca Surgery | POA |
- *ADDITIONAL charges may apply depending on treatment requirements
- An accurate quote would be provided during a clinical consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
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- It’s a simple surgical procedure performed in-clinic
- Only one appointment and procedure is required, unlike other wart treatments that require multiple sessions
- The whole appointment takes less than 60 minutes, with the procedure time typically less than 20 minutes
- It’s performed under local anaesthetic so no pain is felt during the procedure
- It has good outcomes and efficacy compared to other treatments
- Because the wart is removed on the day, any pain or discomfort caused by the wart will be alleviated once the surgical site heals
- You will be able to return to work/school the day following the procedure, if not the same day, depending on the size and position of your plantar wart
- This procedure is safe for children as well as adults
- We monitor your progress to ensure it is healing well
The total recovery time typically takes up to four weeks, depending on the patient and the size and location of their plantar wart. There may be some slight discomfort for the first couple of days and pain relief may be taken to ease this as long as it is not aspirin-based. You will have a follow-up appointment within the first week of your procedure to re-dress the surgical site where you will be given a take-home dressing pack to continue re-dressing your foot at home. You will be given home-care instructions on how to care for your feet and achieve the best healing outcomes.
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- Local anesthetic is administered, so the affected area is completely numb
- The edges of the wart are circumscribed, separating the affected viral tissue from the healthy surrounding tissue
- A curette is used to scoop out the plantar wart in its entirety
- The area is dressed appropriately for optimum healing
- The anesthetic will wear off in two to three hours following the procedure
- After forty-eight hours, showering is permitted and life can continue as normal
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As with any treatment for plantar warts, there is no guarantee that the wart will not return in the future, regardless of the treatment approach. This is because once infected, the HPV virus remains inside your body and may present as warts at different times in your life. Treatment focuses on removing painful, uncomfortable or unsightly warts that have a negative impact on your quality of life, and are successful in achieving this for the specific wart in question.