IPK stands for Intractable Plantar Keratosis.

A deep, painful callus on the bottom of the foot—usually under a pressure point like the ball of the foot.

What makes an IPK different from a regular callus?

A normal callus:

  • Broad, flat, not usually painful

An IPK:

  • Has a hard central core (“plug”) that pushes into the skin

  • Feels like stepping on a pebble or nail

  • Can become very painful when walking

Diagram of a foot showing the sole affected by intractable plantar keratosis, with sections labeled for overview, symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Continue scrolling for real patient Before & Afters as well as explanation as to why an IPK happens.

REAL PATIENTS, REAL RESULTS

Eric was living with a super painful IPK. Some IPK’S limit your activities and the types of shoes you can wear.

Close-up of a person's dry, cracked skin on their foot, with a red circle highlighting an area of concern and the text 'I.P.K.' over the image.
Close-up of a person's skin with a small area of peeling or damaged skin, with the text 'Beginning to Remove the Core' overlayed.
Close-up image of a person's skin, showing the area around the navel, with a caption stating it is after the final removal of a center core with ceramic burr.

How it’s going now!

Close-up of a person's thigh with the text 'After 2 Months Core has not returned' overlaid on the image.

For more than 40 years, Dr. Ivar E. Roth has specialized in diagnosing and treating painful foot conditions, including Intractable Plantar Keratosis (IPK). His personalized treatment approach goes beyond simply trimming the lesion—it focuses on identifying the underlying cause, relieving pain, and helping reduce the risk of recurrence.

Call us or book online!

Call (949) 650-1147

How it started - A painful and inconvenient IPK

A person's leg with a surgical scar, preparing for core removal surgery, with a wooden dresser and a blue wall in the background.
Close-up of a person's foot with a visible sore and skin irritation, with the overlay text 'Core Removed'.
Close-up of a person's leg with visible red marks and a bandage near the knee, resting on a wooden desk with a yellow notepad and a black device in the background.
Close-up of human skin with visible pores and some minor imperfections.
Book your appointment

This patient had multiple IPK’s on each foot.

IPK -Intractable Plantar Keratosis. Treatment is a call away!
Close-up of a person's left foot showing calluses and areas of intact keratin buildup, with annotations indicating the foot is before callus and IPK removal.
Close-up of a person's left foot with small scars from callus and IPK removal, showing mild skin irritation.
Close-up of a person's heel with a small, circular, white callus, annotated with text pointing to a central core labeled 'Note Central Core of IPK.'
Close-up of a fingertip with a piece of dead skin or debris and text indicating it's during the removal of IPK central core.
Close-up of a foot's heel with a small peeled patch and a red arrow pointing to the area, labeled 'Beginning removal of Central Core of IPK'.
A close-up photo of a person's heel with a medical procedure, showing a labeled area where the central core has been removed, with a gloved finger next to it.
Close-up of a person's shaved underarm with small healing holes from Callus and IPK removal, showing skin redness and irritation.
Close-up of a person's underarm with healed small scars and skin markings, labeled as the final result after callus and IPK removal, with a note explaining that IPK stands for plugged sweat gland.
Foot with healed scar on the sole, two months after callus and IPK removal, viewed from the bottom.
The bottom of a person's right foot with healing skin, showing two months after callus and IPK removal.
Close-up of the sole of a person's foot showing a small mole with an arrow pointing to it, labeled as a newly noted IPK from three months ago.
Before and After IPK Treatment

Don’t suffer with an IPK, book your appointment today!

Why IPK’s Happen?

IPKs are almost always caused by excess pressure in one spot, often from:

  • Bone structure (Prominent Metatarsal Head)

  • Foot deformities (like Hammertoes)

  • Tight shoes or high heels

  • Abnormal gait / walking pattern

👉 In other words: your foot mechanics can create a pressure hotspot

Real Patient, Severe IPK’s Before & After

Close-up of the bottom of a person's foot with dry, cracked skin on the heel, labeled 'Before' in black text.
Close-up of the bottom of a foot showing calluses and skin discoloration, with text overlay reading 'Before IPK and Callus Treatment.'
Close-up of a foot with callus and dry skin on the heel, labeled "Before IPK and Callus treatment."
Patient Before & After IPK
Close-up of the bottom of a human foot.
Before and After IPK Treatment
Close-up of the bottom of a human foot showing healed skin, with the text 'One Year After' overlaid.
Close-up of the bottom of a person's foot, showing calluses and dry skin.
Close-up of the bottom of a foot with a callus, with text overlay saying 'One Year After'.
The bottom of a person's foot with calluses and dry skin, with the text 'One Year After' written on it.

How it’s treated

Short-term relief

  • Professional debridement (trimming it down)

  • Padding / offloading the pressure

  • Keratolytic creams (like Urea)

Long-term fix (this is what actually matters)

  • Dr. Roth’s proprietary procedure to

  • Also, Perfect Posture Orthotics will redistribute pressure and reduce potential for reoccurrence.

  • Dr. Roth’s proprietary post treatment care protocol.

Don’t tolerate that uncomfortable feeling of having an IPK.

The patient below was struggling for weeks before having this treated.

Real Patient, Severe IPK’s Before & After

Initial photo pre treatment

Initial photo pre treatment

During callus removal

During callus removal

Close-up of a human fingertip with visible fingerprint ridges, a small wound or blister, and some dried skin or residue.

Close-up of a human fingertip with visible fingerprint ridges, a small wound or blister, and some dried skin or residue.

After core removal

After core removal

After final removal of center core with ceramic burr

After final removal of center core with ceramic burr

What people get wrong

Most people treat an IPK like a cosmetic issue. It’s not.

It will keep coming back unless you fix the pressure causing it.

When to see a podiatrist

  • Pain when walking

  • Keeps returning after trimming

  • You’re unsure if it’s a wart vs IPK

What is a Medical Pedicure?

A Medical Pedicure will greatly improve the health of your feet. Learn more here!

Close-up of a person's navel showing dry, cracked skin on the left and smooth, healthy skin on the right, with 'Before' and 'After' labels.

Dr. Roth explains the Concierge Advantage when it comes to treating IPK’s. (Intractable Plantar Keratosis)

Intractable Plantar Keratosis

Watch as Dr. Roth explains the Concierge Advantage when treating painful IPK’s. Dr. Roth gets to the “core” of the problem when others are unable. Find out how you can regain your confidence when walking and get rid of the pain.

Can IPK’s be cured?

Dr Roth explains his unique technique for treating IPK’s and how patients respond. Special information you don’t want to miss!