Nail Surgery
What causes an ingrown toenail?
There are many causes for ingrown nails, but the most common causes are poorly fitting shoes , improperly trimmed nails, and particularly common in young men is excessively sweaty feet(hyperhidrosis). Tight shoes compress the side of the nail and alter the fit of the nail in the groove. When nails are peeled off or torn, the edge of the nail can extend down into the corner of the nail groove. A torn nail can irritate the skin next to the nail, producing inflammation (swelling, pain, and redness) and sometimes infection. Sweatiness increases friction and makes the skin in the grooves soft and too easy for the nail edge to do damage.
Can ingrown nails be prevented?
Proper trimming of the nails is the best way to prevent an ingrown nail. Nails should be cut straight across, with the corners of the nail protruding from the end of the toe. Children or teenagers who play with their toes in bed at night can wear socks to bed to keep them from peeling or picking at their toenails. Sweaty feet should be treated with medicated anti-perspirants.
What is the recommended surgical procedure for ingrown nails?
If the condition proves to be recurrent then removal of a section of nail (approx 1/8th width), again under local anaesthetic (injection in the toe), together with stopping the root cells to that portion of nail from growing. Thus after the toe is made 'numb': a surgical elastic band(tourniquet) is applied to prevent bleeding from washing away the chemical treatment: the required width of the offending side of nail is removed: the chemical caustic is applied for a specific time and then washed away: the tourniquet is removed and the small wound dressed.
What is the recovery time from this surgery at our practice?
You should keep your foot elevated for a few hours and rest on the day of the surgery; the next day, you can return to work or school. You should refrain from running or vigorous exercise for 2 weeks after the surgery. Healing or drying up of the small wound site varies from 2 - 3 weeks.
