Ingrown toenail Surgery
Do you have a reoccurring ingrown toenail that just won’t go away? Have you had an ingrown toenail removed but it keeps coming back? Want a permanent solution to your ingrown toenail problems? Ingrown toenail surgery may be your solution.
At Foot Lab Podiatry, we experience ingrown nails frequently and treat accordingly. The treatment approach depends on the stage of the ingrown toenail and what the patients goal is. Our highly experienced podiatrists assess the nail to determine the causative factor and treat appropriately.
What is an ingrown toenail?
Onychocryptosis, also known as ingrown toenail, is when the nail begins to dig into the surrounding skin known as the Sulci. Ingrown toenails can be experienced by anyone, when ingrown nails are left un-treated, this can result in unwanted pains and symptoms such as swelling, redness, heat and pus leading to infection. Therefore, it is essential to treat in grown nails immediately.
What can cause ingrown toenails?
- Damage to the nail: trauma such as dropping something on the toe can damage the nail matrix altering the way the nail grows
- Incorrect footwear: footwear with a narrow toe-box compressing all toes together
- Genetics/hereditary
- Incorrect nail cutting
For patients who have suffered reoccurring ingrown toenails and conservative treatment has failed, ingrown toenail surgery (PNA or TNA surgery) is most likely to be the solution.
The two toenail surgeries we perform at Foot Lab Podiatry. Depending on the situation and history of the problem, our podiatrists recommend the appropriate method. The podiatrist will perform the necessary pre surgical assessments and history checks to suggest the most suitable and practical toenail removal option for each patient.
- Partial Nail Avulsion with phenolisation (PNA) which involves removal of the side of the toenail from the foot and using the phenol to prevent regrowth. This type of removal is most commonly recommended and performed.
- Total Nail Avulsion (TNA) surgery where the entire nail is removed. This type of removal is rarely recommended and usually performed when the patient has severe paronychia infections or severe fungal nail infections.
Procedure of the Ingrown toenail surgery
Once the toe is numbed there are a number of steps taken to undertake a successful ingrown toenail surgery.
Step 1
Numbing the toe with a digit block using local anaesthetic
Step 2
A tourniquet is applied to the toe to stop bleeding
Step 3
The Nail edge is cut all the way to the nail matrix and lifted from the nail plate
Step 4
The cut nail is removed from the nail fold and any remaining fragments are removed as well as any soft tissue.
Step 5
Phenol acid is applied to the area where the nail was removed all the way to the nail matrix (3 applications of 20 seconds). Saline is then used to flush the area and neutralise the acid.
Step 6
The tourniquet is removed, and the toe is then dressed with antiseptic and antibacterial dressing and a bandage.
Costs and Packages
- All required dressings provided.
- Follow review consults and care covered in cost until toe has healed.
1 toe 1 side PNA surgery
1 toe 2 sides PNA surgery
2 toes 1 side PNA surgery
$900
- Partial nail avulsion with phenolisation on one side of two toes (item number: 546, 546)
1 toe entire nail plate TNA surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does ingrown toenail surgery recovery take?
Generally 4-6 weeks for full recovery
Do you apply phenol acid during the surgery?
Yes, we use phenol acid during the ingrown surgery to improve the success rate
Does ingrown toenail surgery provide a permanent solution?
Yes, evidence suggests phenol ingrown nail surgery has a success rate of 98.5 percent
When would you recommend ingrown toenail surgery?
If the ingrown has not yet been removed conservatively by a podiatrist and is not a long term issue, we do not suggest surgery.
Can I walk and wear closed in shoes after ingrown toenail surgery?
You can still walk after surgery even through the toe is numb. However, it is recommended to rest, elevate your foot, avoid wearing closed in footwear for the next day of the surgery to minimise pain and reduce any risk of delayed healing.
How long does ingrown toenail surgery take?
The whole ingrown toenail surgery procedure can take up to an hour for 1 side, if more toenails are being operated on this may take longer.
How long should I take off work after ingrown toenail surgery?
We recommend a minimum of 48 hours off work. Your podiatrist will be able to write a medical certificate if needed.