Nail surgery is often the last resort, should removing the nail during your Podiatry appointment not be possible due to pain levels and the extent of the ingrowing toenail.

What Does Nail Surgery Mean?

The nail surgery procedure first involves a local anaesthetic on both sides of the toe. This will completely numb the toe and block your pain receptors. We then put a tourniquet over your toe and prepare your toe with an antibacterial cleanser. Then we remove a part or all of the nail depending on the nail. We then might put a chemical down the side of the nail called phenol that stops the nail from regrowing back. We do this because very often the nail will grow back out and turn into an ingrowing nail once again should we not do this. The evidence suggests that it is 80% likely the nail will regrow without using phenol. You will then be required to redress the toe daily until the toe has healed. This can take between 2-8 weeks depending on your circumstances and procedure. We will provide you with the dressings to use on a daily basis

We will provide all the information to you and an information pack before the nail surgery takes place. You will then also receive a guide on how to look after your toe after the procedure.