Ingrown Nail Surgery
What is nail surgery?
Nail surgery is a routine minor procedure, undertaken under local anaesthetic, to relieve discomfort from ingrown and painful toenails. We pride ourselves on being one of the only private practice settings where we ensure there are two fully qualified podiatrists in attendance for any procedure involving local anaesthetic. Ensuring patient safety and comfort throughout. Nail Surgery involves removing the offending section of the nail, or sometimes the whole nail and treating the toenail base to prevent it from growing back.
Why should I have nail surgery?
Thick, distorted or ingrown nails may give rise to pain and sometimes infection. Treatment in the clinic may relieve the symptoms for a while, but they often reoccur once the nail starts to regrow. Nail surgery generally provides a permanent and safe answer to painful ingrown toenails.
What happens during nail surgery?
The affected toe is injected with a local anaesthetic to prevent you feeling any pain during the procedure. Once the toe is completely numb, a tight rubber band (tourniquet) is placed around the affected toe to prevent bleeding. The offending portion of toenail is then loosened and removed before a liquid chemical (phenol) is applied to the nail root to prevent that portion of nail from growing again in the future. This chemical is not necessarily required for all nail surgery procedures and will be discussed with you during your nail surgery pre-assessment. The tourniquet is then removed, and a bulky dressing is applied. Normal feeling will return two to three hours after your procedure.
Are there any alternatives to nail surgery?
Routine podiatry treatment, such as cutting back the corner of the nail or following our self-care advice, may help in the short term, but is unlikely to offer a permanent solution if the problem has been recurrent or longstanding.
What Are The Risks?
- Re-growth: occasionally the removed section of nail may regrow and need to be removed again. This occurs in less than five in every 100 cases. Infection of the site during healing may occur, as with any operation. Occasionally, antibiotics may be required.
- Pain: it is normal to have some mild pain or soreness once the anaesthetic has worn off. It is unusual for this to be severe or to last longer than 24 hours.
- Very rarely: in some extremely rare cases, temporary or permanent painful nerve damage could occur, or you could have a severe allergic reaction to the local anaesthetic.
Giving your permission
We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to go ahead, you will be asked to sign a consent form. This states that you agree to have the treatment and you understand what it involves. This will usually happen during your pre-surgery assessment appointment.
Re-dressing appointment
A re-dressing appointment is normally booked one to six days after your nail surgery. At this appointment your podiatrist will apply a smaller dressing and advise you how to look after your toe until it is fully healed. You can wear your normal footwear again following this appointment. Please continue to re-dress your toe as instructed until it is fully healed (usually four to six weeks). You will not normally need any further appointments unless we have any concerns.
Here are some reviews we have received from our patients.
My 15 year old son had suffered for months with an ingrowing toenail. I contacted East Kent Foot Care and within a week my son had been prescribed antibiotics, had a pre op assessment and had the problem nail removed. He was very nervous about the procedure but Jo and Ryan were amazing they reassured him, making him feel comfortable and at ease. The after care he received was fantastic. One happy boy. Thank you East Kent Foot Care!
S.B
The staff are great extremely friendly and professional. My daughter had to have nail surgery and both Jo and Ryan couldn’t of been more helpful and caring. Would recommend 100% keep up the fantastic work.
L.B
Many thanks to Jo and Ryan! Very professional and beautiful people, done a great job ! Nail surgery 110% recommended !
My son had an in growing toe nail removed by East Kent Foot Care. From start to finish of his treatment Jo was professional & respectful. Jo provided reassurance, excellent, safe treatment & aftercare. I would highly recommend this service.”
K.B
So pleased I found these guys. Very professional, extremely clean practice. Ryan is a gem and is patient and very reassuring. Had partial nail removed with both Jo and Ryan and the procedure was quick and painless, the aftercare has been outstanding.
P.H