You’ve probably heard of ingrown toenails before. They occur when part of the nail penetrates the skin, which can often result in an infection. Ingrown toenails are uncomfortable and often painful to live with. That’s why so many people seek to fix them with one of the treatment options. Let’s answer the question: what is ingrown toenail surgery?
So what is ingrown toenail surgery?
Ingrown toenail surgery is a minor surgical procedure that removes the invading edge of the nail permanently. This is called a partial nail avulsion (PNA) and can be performed at any of our podiatry clinics by any of our podiatrists.
When is surgery the right choice?
When you see your podiatrist, they will assess your unique casel. If you have recurring ingrown toenails, your podiatrist is likely to advise you on having the PNA. This is to relieve pain, discomfort and risk of infection going forward.
It’s possible that surgery will not be possible due to other health concerns. Things such as pregnancy, breastfeeding mothers, systemic conditions that cause a lack of blood flow to your feet, allergies towards local anaesthetic, and others. If that’s the case, your podiatrist will manage your ingrown toenail conservatively.
What does a PNA appointment look like?
Typically, a PNA appointment will be 60 minutes. Your podiatrist will use local anaesthetic to numb the affected toe. This way the procedure can be performed without any pain.
Your podiatrist will prepare your toe by using antiseptic techniques to clean the skin. They will apply a tourniquet for the duration of the procedure. Your podiatrist will then remove the side of the nail that is ingrown and apply a phenol based chemical to the nail root. This will prevent the nail spike from re-growing.
How long is the recovery time?
The normal healing time for a partial nail avulsion is around 4 weeks. We usually advise that you have a rest period of 24-48 hours after your procedure before you return back to work or school. We also recommend you do not partake in any strenuous physical activities until the area is healed.
You will need to redress your toe while it is healing, but your podiatrist will provide you with all the information you need to perform this at home.
Now you know the answer to ‘what is ingrown toenail surgery?’
If you think you might be suffering with ingrown toenails, please make sure to have them checked out by your local podiatrist. They will be able to best advise you on a course of treatment and provide advice on how to avoid ingrown toenails in the future.
Contributed by Podiatrist Cherize Vorster