Nail Surgery

Nail surgery is a minor, routine procedure, performed by our Podiatrist Helen under local anaesthetic, to treat painful, ingrown, or damaged toenails by removing part (partial) or all (total) of the nail. A chemical (phenol) is often applied to prevent the nail from regrowing, providing a permanent solution. The procedure takes about 40 minutes, with a 6-12 week healing time.

Key Aspects of Nail Surgery

A. Procedure Types:

• • Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA): The most common, removing only the ingrown edge of the nail.
  • Total Nail Avulsion (TNA): Complete removal of the nail, usually for severely damaged or thick nails.

B, Process:

A local anesthetic is injected into the toe, a tourniquet is applied to reduce blood flow, the nail/portion is removed, and phenol is applied to the nail bed.

C. Recovery & Aftercare:

Immediate: 

The toe will be dressed in a bulky bandage; it is recommended to wear open-toed shoes.

Activities: 

You may need to take a day or two off work or school, and you should avoid driving while the toe is numb.

Care:

Keep the dressing dry and clean, and typically change it every other day after the first 48 hours.

Healing Time: 

Generally, full healing occurs in 6-8 weeks for partial, and 8-10 weeks for total nail removal.

D. Benefits: 

This procedure is considered a permanent, safe, and effective solution to long-term pain and recurring infections from ingrown or problematic nails.

E. Preparation and Considerations

Arrange for transport home, as you may not be able to drive. Eat and drink normally before the appointment. Inform the practitioner if you have conditions like diabetes or are taking blood-thinning medication, as these may impact healing.

The images below show before nail surgery, then 1 week after, 1 month and then finally 6 months