What are the common indications for nail surgery?

Common indications of nail surgery are:

• Ingrown nail: When all the home care fails, and the ingrown nails persists.
• Benign tumour: Pyogenic granuloma
• Wart
• Fungal infection of nail: When the fungal infection won’t go away even after medical therapy.

What is an Ingrown nail?

Ingrown nail is a condition in which the corner or top of the nail grows into the flesh. This can cause lot of discomfort and pain. Sometimes redness and swelling may be seen around the ingrown nail. It may also lead to infectionespecially if you have conditions like diabetes. It generally occurs in the nail of the big toe. Common causes of ingrown nails are:

• Wearing tight fitting shoes, especially tight around big toe.
• Toenail or toe injury
• Cutting toenails too short
• If natural growth of nail is in a curve.

What does the Ingrown toe nail surgery Involve?

The affected toeis cleaned with an antiseptic solution and is injected with local anaesthetic to make the procedure comfortable for you. After the area gets numb, and the affected nail or a part of it is separated from the nail bed and removed. After this, an electrical cauterization may be done, or an acidic solution may be applied on the treated area to stop bleeding and prevent nail regrowth. A dressing is applied on the area.

What do I expect post-surgery?

You will be required to wait awhile post procedure to check whether the surgical site is bleeding or not. After this your can return to your home. You may feel some pain as the effect of the anaesthetic wears off. Following precautions must be taken:

• Post-surgery you do not have to drive or walk your way home.
• The dressing should not be removed by the patient.
• Once you reach home, rest with your foot elevated for few hours.
• It is advised to limit physical movement to minimum for few days post-surgery.
• Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and painkillers, follow the instructions closely.
• Make sure to visit your doctor for redressing. Usually it is done few days after surgery.
• At any point of time if you have severe bleeding, discharge, swelling, severe pain or fever, contact your doctor immediately.
• You may be able to return to normal activities in few days, but any strenuous activity must be avoided for few weeks.

What are the risks of nail surgery?

• Toenail deformity: Toenails may grow back deformed or not grow at all.
• Infection: An infection may occur at site of surgery but is usually treatable with antibiotics.
• Rarely recurrence.