Do you have a recurring ingrown toenail and don’t know what to do?
Ingrown toenails are a common foot problem we see here at Southern Podiatry. The treatment methods vary depending on how advanced the problem is and the individual needs of the patient too, so we’ll always tailor a treatment to you.
For patients whose ingrown toenail issues are long-term and recurring, ingrown toenail surgery is likely to be the best option. When conservative and non-invasive treatments are unsuccessful, surgery removing the nail edge (which doesn’t grow back) can be a better permanent solution to avoid continual discomfort and pain.
When is it time to consider toenail surgery?
- Chronic ingrown toenail
- Recurring ingrown toenail despite frequent conservative care
- Ingrown toenails that are negatively impacting your lifestyle, causing significant pain and footwear use problems
Types of Ingrown Toenail Surgery
Partial Nail Avulsion
PNA surgery permanently removes the side of the nail that is causing damage to the skin. It is a quick & routine procedure, normally used in simple cases of ingrown toenails that can’t be resolved with conservative treatments. It’s also preferred as the majority of the nail can be left attached.
Benefits
- A quick procedure – just 45 to 60 minutes
- A normal-looking nail is left after healing
- 98 per cent success rate
- Fixes the issue permanently
- A quick recovery time
Total Nail Avulsion
TNA surgery permanently removes the entire nail, normally carried out only when a severely damaged or thickened toenail causes recurring problems that the more simple PNA surgery will not fix. This is not the preferred treatment, but in rare cases it can be necessary to avoid future problems.
Benefits
- A permanent solution for the nail
- Won’t grow back
- 98 per cent success rate
- A quick procedure – just 45 to 60 minutes
- Rapid recovery rates
The Procedure
It is a quick and simple solution for painful ingrown nails. Once the toe is numbed, there are just four steps to follow.
Step One
After the toe is numbed, a tourniquet is applied to limit blood flow and the nail edge is cut and split from the nail plate.
Step Two
The cut nail edge is gently removed from the nail fold and any remaining fragments are removed. Extra tissue that has grown over the site will also be removed at this point.
Step Three
The phenol acid is applied to destroy the nail matrix and the toenail is flushed with a clean solution.
Step Four
The tourniquet is removed, the toe dressed with an antibiotic ointment and bandaged, and you can go home and relax.