Select city location icon
Shivatkar
phone icon in white color

Call Us

Book FREE Appointment

What is Toenail Surgery?

Toenail surgery refers to a range of minor surgical procedures performed to treat painful or problematic toenail conditions, most commonly ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis). An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail edge curves and grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes infection. If conservative treatments fail, surgical removal of part or all of the toenail is recommended to provide permanent relief and prevent recurrence.

Overview

Types of Toenail Surgery
  • Partial nail avulsion (removal of one side of the nail)
  • Total nail avulsion (complete nail removal)
  • Phenolisation (chemical destruction of nail root to prevent regrowth)
  • Nail matrix excision (surgical removal of nail root)
Causes of Ingrown Toenail
  • Incorrect nail trimming technique
  • Tight or ill-fitting footwear
  • Toenail injury or trauma
  • Genetic predisposition to curved nails
  • Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
  • Fungal nail infections
Complications of Untreated Ingrown Toenail
  • Chronic infection of the nail fold
  • Abscess formation
  • Spread of infection to underlying bone (osteomyelitis)
  • Recurrent pain affecting walking and daily activities
Prevention of Ingrown Toenails
  • Trim nails straight across, not in a curved shape
  • Wear properly fitting footwear
  • Keep feet clean and dry
  • Avoid trauma to the toes during sports or activity

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis for Toenail Surgery

Toenail conditions are typically diagnosed through a clinical examination. At Pristyn Care, a specialist examines the affected toe and recommends the most appropriate treatment based on the severity and nature of the problem.

  • Physical Examination – The doctor inspects the affected toenail for signs of ingrowing, redness, swelling, discharge, and infection. The severity of the ingrowth and surrounding tissue involvement is assessed.
  • Patient History – Details about footwear habits, nail-trimming technique, previous episodes, and any prior treatments are noted to understand the root cause and guide treatment.
  • X-Ray (if required) – In cases of suspected bone involvement, an X-ray may be recommended to rule out osteomyelitis or assess the nail bed structure.
  • Wound Swab (if infected) – If the nail fold is infected with pus or discharge, a swab may be taken to identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic therapy before or after surgery.
Read More

Toenail Surgery Treatment Procedure

Toenail surgery is a minor day-care procedure performed under local anesthesia. The type of surgery depends on whether the nail problem is recurrent, the extent of damage, and the patient's preference.

  • Partial Nail Avulsion – This is the most common procedure for ingrown toenails. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the toe, and the ingrowing side of the nail is cut and removed from the nail bed. This immediately relieves pain and resolves the ingrowing portion.
  • Total Nail Avulsion – In cases of severely thickened, infected, or fungally damaged nails, the entire nail may be removed. A new nail typically grows back over a period of 3 to 6 months.
  • Phenolisation (Chemical Matrixectomy) – After nail removal, a chemical called phenol is applied to the nail matrix (root) to prevent the problematic nail edge from growing back. This is highly effective for preventing recurrence with a reported success rate of over 95%.
  • Surgical Matrixectomy – In select cases, the nail matrix is surgically excised to permanently prevent regrowth of the troublesome nail border. This is recommended for patients with repeated ingrown toenail episodes.
Read More

Why Pristyn Care?

Delivering Seamless Surgical Experience in India

01

Pristyn Care is COVID-19 safe

Your safety is taken care of by thermal screening, social distancing, sanitized clinics and hospital rooms, sterilized surgical equipment and mandatory PPE kits during surgery.

02

Assisted Surgery Experience

A dedicated Care Coordinator assists you throughout the surgery journey from insurance paperwork, to free commute from home to hospital & back and admission-discharge process at the hospital.

03

Medical Expertise With Technology

Our surgeons spend a lot of time with you to diagnose your condition. You are assisted in all pre-surgery medical diagnostics. We offer advanced laser and laparoscopic surgical treatment. Our procedures are USFDA approved.

04

Post Surgery Care

We offer free follow-up consultations and instructions including dietary tips as well as exercises to every patient to ensure they have a smooth recovery to their daily routines.

care service Still haven’t found the solution?
phone icon080-6542-3516 Call us now

Preparation Before Toenail Surgery

  • Clean the affected foot thoroughly before the procedure and trim the surrounding skin carefully to reduce infection risk.
  • Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, particularly blood thinners, aspirin, or diabetes medications, as these may affect healing.
  • If you have diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or any circulation problem, notify your surgeon in advance for additional pre-operative precautions.
  • Wear open-toed footwear or bring loose shoes on the day of the procedure to accommodate post-operative dressing.
  • Arrange for someone to accompany you if you are likely to have difficulty walking after the procedure.

Recovery After Toenail Surgery

  • The toe is bandaged after the procedure. Initial dressings are typically changed after 24 to 48 hours, and the wound is kept clean and dry.
  • Mild throbbing, tenderness, and minor bleeding are common in the first 24 hours and usually subside quickly.
  • Most patients can walk the same day, though wearing open-toed or loose shoes for 1 to 2 weeks is recommended.
  • Avoid submerging the foot in water (baths, swimming) until the wound has fully healed, typically within 2 to 3 weeks.
  • Resume normal activities within a few days, and return to sports or strenuous activity after 3 to 6 weeks as advised by the surgeon.
  • If phenol was applied, slight drainage from the toe for 2 to 4 weeks is normal. Follow your doctor’s dressing and hygiene instructions carefully.

Benefits of Toenail Surgery

  • Permanent Relief – Surgical treatment, especially when combined with phenolisation, provides long-term or permanent relief from recurring ingrown toenail pain.
  • Quick Procedure – Toenail surgery is a minor, fast procedure typically completed in 15 to 30 minutes under local anesthesia.
  • Day-Care Surgery – No hospitalization is required; patients are discharged on the same day.
  • High Success Rate – Phenolisation has a recurrence prevention rate of over 95%, making it one of the most effective treatments available.
  • Improved Quality of Life – Relief from chronic toe pain improves walking comfort, footwear choices, and overall daily function.
  • Low Complication Risk – When performed by an experienced specialist, toenail surgery carries minimal risk of complications and heals well with proper care.
Read More

FAQs on Toenail Surgery in Shivatkar

Is toenail surgery painful?

Toenail surgery is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. After the anesthesia wears off, some throbbing or tenderness is common for the first day or two and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

Will my toenail grow back after surgery?

If only part of the nail is removed, the remaining nail continues to grow normally. If the full nail is removed without phenol treatment, a new nail typically grows back over 3 to 6 months. If phenolisation is performed, the treated edge will not regrow, preventing the ingrown nail from recurring.

How long does it take to recover from toenail surgery?

Most patients can resume daily activities within 1 to 2 days and return to normal footwear within 2 to 3 weeks. Full healing of the nail bed takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Strenuous exercise and sports should be avoided for 3 to 6 weeks post-surgery.

Can ingrown toenails come back after surgery?

With phenolisation or surgical matrixectomy, the recurrence rate is very low — less than 5%. However, if only a standard nail avulsion is performed without treating the nail matrix, the nail may regrow and the problem could return. Following proper nail care advice post-surgery significantly reduces the risk of recurrence.

Toenail Removal Surgery Cost in Top Cities

expand icon

Toenail Removal Treatment in Other Near By Cities

expand icon
Disclaimer: *The result and experience may vary from patient to patient.. **By submitting the form or calling, you agree to receive important updates and marketing communications.

© Copyright Pristyncare 2026. All Right Reserved.