Toenail Surgery
Toenail surgery is a procedure that is carried out under local anaesthetic, which involves removing eithera portion of the nail, or the entire nail plate. Nail surgery is subject to an assessment with a podiatrist here at Macclesfield Podiatry.
What is toenail surgery?
Toenail surgery is a minor surgical procedure that involves removing either part of the nail plate, or the entire nail plate, which is removed under local anaesthetic so that no pain is felt during the procedure. Nail surgery may be necessary if you have an in-growing toenail, or if you have unsightly nails. In-growing toenails commonly occur at the big toenail, however, an ingrown toenail can also occur at any one of the lesser toenails.
If you have an ingrowing toenail the nail will press and then grow into the surrounding skin and tissue, leading to pain and discomfort. Toenail surgery is a quick procedure that that removes the ingrowing portion of nail. Once the nail has been removed a chemical called phenol is used to stop the nail re-growing, this is so that the problem does not return.
What are the benefits of toenail surgery?
If you have an ingrowing toenail, or an unsightly nail that you wish to have removed, toenail surgery will benefit you. The benefits of toenail surgery include:
- Removal of ingrown nail
- Pain relief
- Improved aesthetics (if thick and discoloured)
- Permanent solution to chronic reoccurrence and pain
- Local anaesthetic so no need to fast before surgery
- Removes cause of infection
- Minimal time off
- No waiting lists
- No need to visit hospital
- Partial removal of nail is cosmetically acceptable
Similar treatment/services that can help
If you have an ingrown toenail it may not actually be fully in-grown and therefore it may be possible to remove the offending nail spike quickly and painlessly in a routine clinic appointment, with no need for surgery. To prevent the nail spike from returning advice and education on proper nail cutting and footwear will be given to prevent the reoccurrence of the problem.
If you have a thick nail the bulk can be reduced using a nail drill. Reducing the nail wil make the toe more comfortable as it will reduce the pressure being placed on the nail bed.
