Ingrowing toenails

Conservative treatment
Where possible, we try and treat the problem with conservative measures. However, more persistent ingrowing toenails may return in time and require further treatment. Where the nail consistently in-grows and becomes painful, a more permanent treatment may be required.

Surgical treatment of ingrown toenails
Where conservative treatment has failed or isn’t appropriate, nail surgery is a safe, simple and effective procedure that can cure your painful ingrown toenail. This will allow you to walk pain-free, wear the shoes you want to wear and to take part in the activities you want to. In our centre we perform a less invasive technique known as a wedge excision.

• Permanent cure to your problem
• Pain reduction
• Removes the cause of infection
• Return to wearing normal shoes
• Pain free procedure
• Local anaesthetic, no fasting required
• Partial nail removal is cosmetically acceptable

On the day of your surgery
Our doctor will do the clinical assessment and talk you through the nail surgery procedure, discussing the intended benefits, outcomes, potential risks or complications.

You will be also given a consent form to read, understand and sign. We ensure you have all the information you need and fully comprehend the purpose of the nail surgery before you sign the consent form. We will ensure you fully understand the benefits and risks of the nail surgery and are happy to proceed and make sure that any questions you have are answered.

Firstly, the doctor will clean the area with antiseptic and a local anaesthetic will be administered to numb the affected toe, a tight band will be placed around your toe to minimise any bleeding. Next an antiseptic solution will be applied to your toe to minimise the chance of infection, adhesive film will be applied and the offending nail/piece of nail will be removed. To stop the nail from re-growing the chemical phenol will then be applied. A protective dressing will be applied, and the operation is complete. The whole thing is over and done with from start to finish in around 45 minutes.

You will be advised about the analgesia if required and a follow up appointment will be arranged with you so that the doctor can assess and re-dress the toe.

Post-care
It is recommended following surgery that you go home and put your feet up, to minimise bleeding. It is also important that you do not drive until the local anaesthetic has fully worn off.

It usually takes around 4-8 weeks for the toe to heal completely. This varies between individuals, but it is important that you continue to clean and redress the toe until it is completely healed. The toe will need to be re-dressed every 2-3 days, and must be kept dry between times.

Like any procedure, there are some risks. Complications are very rare, and every care is taken to minimise them. These can include regrowth of the nail, wound infection, delayed wound healing, bone infection, post- operative pain and rarely people have an allergic reaction with the product used, specially with phenol.

The anaesthetic used is very safe but very rarely people have an allergic reaction to the local anaesthesia. Please let our doctor know if you are allergic to any products or anaesthesia.

Significant post-operative bleeding is uncommon, however there can sometimes be signs of strikethrough bleeding though the dressing. It can also be helpful to elevate your legs and put your feet up to reduce any further bleeding. There is a small risk of infection as, by removing the nail, we create a small wound.

The condition of your toe after surgery will be closely monitored, Even with the chemical removal of the nail bed, there is a small chance that the nail could regrow . Your doctor will apply the chemical phenol for the recommended exposure time to prevent regrowth, while also being mindful of phenol burns and reducing any unnecessary damage to the surrounding skin.