Ingrown Toenails
Nail Surgery for Ingrown Toenails
Our solution
We recommend nail surgery as the treatment of choice for ingrown toenails. Nail surgery provides a permanent solution to the problem by stopping the ingrown nail from growing back.
The procedure
The procedure is minimally invasive and is performed under local anaesthetic to numb the toe. Once the toe is numb we place a rubber ring around the toe which acts as a mini tourniquet. Following removal of the ingrown section of the nail, we use a chemical which stop that section of the nail growing back.
After the procedure
As the procedure is minimally invasive, recovery is relatively fast. Following the procedure a light dressing is applied. You can return to weightbearing in regular footwear such as a trainer. It is advised to minimise your activity levels for the first 48 hours after the procedure and to take a short course of basic pain medication to minimise post-op discomfort such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Why we like this option
Nail surgery is an excellent treatment option for ingrown toenails as it is proven to be effective, minimally invasive, the recovery is fast, involves minimal risks and offers a permanent solution to the problem.
Additional information
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail is a very common condition where a portion of the nail grows in to the toe and sometimes penetrates the surrounding skin around the nail causing pain. This often leads to localised swelling, redness and infection.
What causes an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenails are often caused by the following reasons:
- Cutting the nails too short
- Picking the nails
- Stubbing your toe
- Wearing tight fitted shoes
- Involuted (pincer shaped) nails
How are ingrown toenails treated?
Our preferred solution is nail surgery however for some individuals nail surgery isn’t safe or suitable. In these scenarios, the nail can be managed with regular treatment from a podiatrist to relieve pain and prevent infection.
