NAIL SURGERY

Ingrown toenails can be extremely painful and debilitating if left untreated. They occur often from playing sports or when people cut the nail too low which can cause hyper granulation tissue. The nail sticks into the flesh and often causes pain and sometimes infection. A local anaesthetic can be used alone to help remove a nail or in connection with surgery to remove the nail permanently.

In Surgery, a local anaesthetic called a digital block is used on the big toe. After the toe is successfully numbed, the nail spike is then removed. A swab with phenol is put down the side of the nail which permanently removes that part of the nail from growing back. A full medical history and foot assessment are needed before giving a local anaesthetic and considering nail surgery.

Sometimes we need to contact your GP to make sure you are fit to have this procedure. We can remove the offending side only which is called a partial nail avulsion (PNA) or both sides of the big toe called bilateral nail avulsion (BNA). 

Surgery is always a last resort, however, if you are having a lot of infections and need
antibiotics regularly it’s wise to consider surgery. The procedure takes about an hour and requires you to rest for that day. You will have a big dressing on the day of surgery so flip-flops or sandals are needed to wear afterwards.

Healing begins immediately and the patient looks after it themselves with daily salt water baths. We see you back in the clinic to check how the healing is progressing for a few re-dressings over two to four weeks. Total healing takes about four to six
weeks.

If you play sports or swim we ask you to stop for a few weeks. The more rest you get after
the procedure the quicker it will heal. The toe is numbed for a few hours after the procedure so driving isn’t advised, it is best to get a taxi home or have someone collect you. People usually only need paracetamol for pain relief once the anaesthetic wears off.