What is Ingrown Toenail Surgery?
A Partial Nail Avulsion, or nail surgery, is a minor surgical procedure to remove part of a nail plate that is ingrown. This procedure is done regularly by podiatrists and is used predominantly for chronic or recurrent ingrown toenails that have not responded to conservative treatment. A local anaesthetic is given by means of two injections to the affected toe. The anaesthetic lasts a couple of hours and will totally block all pain sensation during the operation.
Once numb, an elastic strip is applied around the toe from tip to base and acts as a tourniquet. No cutting or stitching is involved. The appropriate part of the nail is simply lifted and removed from that part of the nail bed. The nail matrix, which is the part that produces the nail plate, is then treated with a chemical called Phenol to prevent further unwanted re-growth of the nail. The tourniquet is then removed.
A sterile dressing is applied to the toe and you can then leave the clinic.
How long does Ingrown Toenail Surgery take?
The whole procedure takes about an hour.
If you have been struggling with sore, red, swollen or infected toenails for a while, it might be time to have the problem assessed by an expert. Send us a booking request and tell us a little about your condition. Our expert staff will call you back to discuss your next step.
How long does it take to recover from an ingrown toenail surgery?
The toe is reviewed 2 days after surgery for re-dressing and takes approximately 2-4 weeks to heal depending on the patients healing ability. On rare occasions, we may decide not to operate when you come in for your appointment e.g. for medical reasons.
The team at Suncoast Podiatry are very experienced in Partial nail Avulsion Procedures. This method of nail surgery is known to be very safe and effective.
How painful is surgery for an ingrown toenail?
Many people avoid ingrown toenail surgery because they think it is painful.The procedure itself is not painful as it is performed under local anesthesia. Once the injections are done, it is a fairly straightforward procedure.You will experience some discomfort for a couple of weeks or so but this can easily be managed.The short term discomfort is worth it – allowing you to get back to more normal activity levels.
Call us now for an appointment.
Can I walk after ingrown nail surgery?
In most cases yes! You will walk straight out of the foot and nail clinic, even if you need to have more than one nail surgery performed, or need ingrown toenail surgery on both feet. You shouldn’t need crutches and will still be able to get around. It is a good idea to plan to wear open shoes as your nails will be bandaged after the procedure. You may like to consider purchasing some open shoes from our range prior to your procedure.
Still not sure? Contact us for more information.
Do Health Funds provide cover for ingrown toenail surgery?
The majority of private health funds that cover podiatry give substantial rebates on nail procedures. Our reception staff can provide you with a quote and an estimate of your health insurance rebate for ingrown toenail surgery.
Simply give us a call or send an enquiry.