• Many nail problems can be improved considerably by straightforward chiropody.  However, nails that are very curved, hard or continually inflamed around the edges may require minor surgery to remove the problem.  This is also true of nails which have become badly in-grown due to poor nail cutting over time.

 

• If surgery is required then the treatments of choice for persistent ingrown toenails is partial Nail Avulsion with Phenolisation.  The toe is numbed with an injection of anaesthetic and the offending section of nail is removed and part of the nail root from which it grew is selectively destroyed by applying a chemical.  The remaining nail and its root are left intact and will continue to grow normally, except that the nail will now be slightly narrower.  The piece of removed nail that caused the problem does not grow again.

• The operation lasts about an hour from arrival at the surgery to departure and after two or three dressings the toe is normally healed in about 2 weeks.

 

• Patients are understandably concerned about having to take time off after a procedure of this type.  A day of rest is all that is necessary following the operation and many patients having a PNA choose to have it scheduled for a friday evening for this reason.  Then patients simply have to ensure that the dressings on the toe are kept dry between appointments.

 

• Re-dressings continue until the toe is healed. Usually the toe will require two to three re-dressings.

 

• An important part of the follow-up care is to attend for a check-up 3 months following the operation.