Ingrown toenail surgery is a procedure that, in the majority of cases, provides a permanent solution to ingrown toenails that have become a recurrent problem. At Entire Podiatry, ingrown toenail surgery is performed by qualified and experienced podiatrists in each of our fully equipped clinics.
The ingrown toenail surgical procedure involves three main steps:
- Applying a local anesthetic to both sides of the affected toe, using a needle (this local anaesthetic will numb the toe for several hours). Before injecting the local anaesthetic, we will apply a topical anaesthetic skin spray to numb the area and reduce any pain from the injection.
- Removing a segment from the side of the nail that has become ingrown.
- Sterilising the nail bed (matrix) at the base of the removed section (so that the nail that has been removed doesn’t grown back).
The procedure takes about one hour to perform.
What happens after ingrown toenail surgery?
After ingrown toenail surgery the affected toe will continue to be numb for a few hours, after which you may notice some pain and discomfort. Over-the-counter pain medication will assist with pain management as required.
Ingrown toenail surgery doesn’t require any stitches, however it is necessary to keep the dressing clean and dry for a few days following the procedure until you return for your review appointment. Your podiatrist will provide a series of post-operative instructions to assist with healing and recovery following the procedure.
It will generally take 4 to 6 weeks for full healing after ingrown toenail surgery, however most people enjoy significant pain reduction very soon after the procedure.
Do I need ingrown toenail surgery?
Ingrown toenail surgery is generally not recommended unless conservative treatment options have failed to prevent recurrence of the ingrown toenail. In cases where the problem is not resolving after conservative treatment, ingrown toenail surgery may be the best solution for your needs.
If you think you may have an ingrown toenail, it is recommended that you see a podiatrist initially for advice and consideration of the various treatment options available. To make an appointment with Entire Podiatry, Freecall 1800-4-ENTIRE, or contact your nearest clinic directly.
How much does toenail surgery cost?
There is non-permanent and permanent ingrown correction surgery. You can view the different toenail surgery pricing options on the Entire Podiatry Pricing page.
