Ingrown Nail Surgery

Ingrown toenails, also called onychocryptosis, occur when the edges or corners of nail grows into the skin on one or both sides of the nail bed. It is often a painful condition accompanied with swelling or discharge, and can sometimes be accompanied by a toenail infection. The condition can cause difficulty in walking and wearing enclosed shoes.

At ProPodiatry Clinic, we recommend seeing a Podiatrist as soon as possible if:

  • The skin around your toenail is bleeding or discharging as it may be infected

  • The toenail is inflamed with no improvement within 3 days at home treatments.

  • You have poor circulation, diabetes or have medical conditions that may cause poor would healing or increased risk of infection

What causes an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown nails may be caused by a number of factors including but not limited to:

  • tight footwear compressing the nails into surrounding skin

  • trauma

  • abnormal nail shape

  • incorrect nail cutting technique

  • rubbing from adjacent toes.

Treatment

Conservative ingrown toenail treatment involves removal of a small wedge of nail to free up the nail edge, which is then cleaned with a sterile instrument and packed with lint-free swab to provide barrier between the nail and the skin. It is important to ensure the nail edge is filed correctly to reduce the risk of future ingrown nails. Antibiotics will be required from your doctor if the ingrown nail is infected.

Nail Surgery (Partial Nail Avulsion) is offered to patients in whom the ingrown toenail has come back a few times and is causing on-going problems that cannot be relieved with conservative management. The minor surgical procedure involves removal of a portion of the nail along with the underlying tissue. We are qualified and equipped to perform ingrown toenail surgery under local anesthetic. The majority of people experience significant improvement following ingrown toenail surgery and are able to return to normal activities without further problems.

 

Find Us

South Melbourne

ProPodiatry Clinic South Melbourne
Level 1/111 Cecil St
South Melbourne VIC 3205
Phone: (03) 9284 3400

Brunswick

ProPodiatry Clinic Brunswick
30 Sydney Rd
Brunswick VIC 3056
Phone: (03) 8388 5200