'My Feet Are Killing Me': What is wrong with Basil's feet? Biopsy reveals shocking truth
Being unable to use one's feet can genuinely be a debilitating situation. But for some people, certain diseases and conditions turn this nightmare into a reality. Thankfully, Dr Brad Schaeffer, Dr Ebonie Vincent and Dr Sarah Haller are back, to help people on TLC's 'My Feet Are Killing Me'.
Throughout the show, there is a little the doctors haven't dealt with. From webbed feet, Proteus Syndrome and even potentially cancerous growths, they've seen it all. But in the latest episode, Dr Brad Schaeffer is faced with quite the case.
READ MORE
'Dr Pimple Popper': Sandra Lee tries 'not to be intimidated' by Roger's rhinophyma case
What happened to Alisha Williams' feet? A look at 'My Feet Are Killing Me' star's accident
For Dr Schaeffer, the new season started with quite a bang, seeing that he was faced with a case that had him entirely perplexed. Basil, an elderly gentleman, showed up to the clinic, hoping to treat what he claimed were severe calluses. However, when Dr Brad Schaeffer examined his feet, he was shocked at what he saw. The growth on Basil's feet was thick and bark-like, covering his entire foot. Dr Schaeffer couldn't entirely tell what it was, seeing that it could have been just callused, extreme warts or even the rare Tree Man's Syndrome.
Basil revealed that the growth began around the time he was 28 - 29 years old and his mother also had the same condition. Incidentally, his son, Chris, had not been displaying any symptoms. But seeing that Basil's mother and he had it, it meant that this issue could most certainly be hereditary. Dr Schaeffer figured that the best course of action was getting a biopsy to figure out the exact problem.
He also wanted to operate on Basil and get rid of the growths. However, it could not be done at the clinic and would have to be done in an operating theatre to avoid infection or issues. Along with Dr Sarah Haller, he got to shaving down the growth entirely. First, he had Basil soak his feet to soften the skin. However, by the time he got done with one foot, the other hardened. Dr Schaeffer ended up going through 10 blades, but at the end of it, he managed to get rid of all the growth.
During Basil's follow-up 7.5 weeks later, his feet looked much healthier, seeing that the growths had not reformed. It was then that Dr Schaeffer revealed the biopsy results -- Basil has a hereditary condition known as Cutaneous horn. It's the result of excess keratin buildup, which forms cone-shaped protuberance on the skin. Luckily, Dr Schaeffer explained that it is treatable, seeing that Basil would have to get the slow-forming growths shaved by a doctor monthly and use urea cream to stop further development.
Catch all-new episodes of 'My Feet Are Killing Me' on Wednesdays at 10 pm EST on TLC.