Ingrown Nails & Nail Surgery

Ingrown toenails can be an extremely painful and uncomfortable condition. They often present as red, swollen and painful and may weep or have a bad odour often indicating the presence of an infection.

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Ingrown toenails can have several underlying causes such as:

  • Excessively curved (involuted) nail plates
  • Tight shoes
  • Incorrect toenail cutting technique
  • Injury or trauma

Our podiatrists will be able to treat your ingrown toenails using several techniques and provide you with advice to prevent them from recurring.

If your ingrown nail is particularly bad, then your podiatrist may recommend a minor surgical procedure to correct the problem permanently.

The technique is called a Partial Nail Avulsion or PNA and is performed in the clinic using a local anaesthetic. The procedure involves removing the section of ingrown nail at the nail bed, a chemical is then used to stop the nail from growing back in this section permanently.

The procedure is done within the clinic, usually taking about an hour and you are generally able to walk immediately wearing loose fitting shoes or sandals. Your toe will be dressed during the procedure, and you will be reviewed by the podiatrist usually within 1-4 days. You will continue to be monitored by your podiatrist for the next 4-6 weeks, however you will generally redress your toe at home during this period. In most cases the toe will totally heal within a 4-6 week period and you are generally able to return to your regular sporting activities at this time.