Ingrowing Toenail Surgery
This page will provide you with information about surgery for ingrowing toenails. For further details, please speak to your consultant.
What is an ingrowing toenail?
An ingrowing toenail is when a toenail develops in order that it begins to grow into the skin around it (see Figure 1) as against outwardly. this will cause the skin around a toenail becoming damaged, resulting in pain and possible infections. This issue occurs most ordinarily within the great toe.
The most common cause for an ingrowing toenail is when toenails aren’t cut properly, causing the nail to grow into the skin surrounding the nail. It can often run in families, as toenails that don’t grow straight also are a cause. Similarly, wearing shoes that are too tight round the foot also can cause nails to grow incorrectly.
What are the advantages of ingrowing toenail surgery?
The surgery will put a stop to pain and infection within the affected toe.
What are the alternatives to surgery?
There are a couple of other options for patients to undertake rather than choosing surgery, however these are mostly preventative options. These include:
- Cutting toenails during a line across, without leaving any sharp edges.
- Wearing shoes that are the proper fit and don’t squash the toes.
- Requesting a GP or podiatrist push the skin faraway from the toenail, or remove the sting of the toenail that’s digging in.
What will happen during the operation?
The operation is usually performed under local anesthetic and may take around 10 minutes. There are various sorts of ingrowing toenail surgery:
Nail avulsion – the removal of the entire nail
Wedge excision – the removal of a part of the nail
Nail-bed ablation – the removal of the entire nail, plus a chemical or current directed at the world of tissue liable for nail growth
Zadek’s procedure – the removal of the entire nail, plus cutting away the world of tissue liable for nail growth
Risks and complications
Any risks or complications are going to be discussed beforehand of your treatment together with your expert consultant.
Recovery
Most patients are ready to return home a brief time after surgery. it’s advised that patients spend the primary few days of recovery with their leg raised to assist reduce swelling.
Most activity are often resumed shortly after the procedure, however it’s advised that no sport be played or strenuous activity undertaken for a fortnight.
The dressing should be kept dry and toenails always cut during a line . Comfortable shoes that fit the form of the foot should even be worn in the least times, as an ingrowing toenail can re-occur.