Do you have pain and discomfort due to an ingrown toenail? Get in touch with Pristyn Care and consult the best general surgeon in India to get proper treatment. Book a consultation with our experts to determine if you need ingrown toenail removal surgery.
Do you have pain and discomfort due to an ingrown toenail? Get in
...touch with Pristyn Care and consult the best general surgeon in India to get proper treatment. Book a consultation with our experts to determine if you need ingrown toenail removal surgery. Read More
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What is Ingrown Toenail Removal ?
Ingrown toenail removal is also known as matricectomy or matrixectomy. It is the procedure in which the nail matrix (the tissue at the base of the nail where the nail cells originate) is removed partially or completely. The surgery is generally recommended to treat chronic ingrown toenails when other conservative and non-surgical treatments fail.
Matricectomy can be performed using different techniques, including chemical, electrosurgical, or surgical. The most suitable technique is chosen by the doctor after examining the patient and determining the severity of the condition. To learn more about the treatment procedure, you can contact Pristyn Care.
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What Happens If Ingrown Toenail is Not Removed?
If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can get worse and cause various complications, including:
Infection: The skin around the ingrown toenail can become infected, leading to pain, redness, swelling, and pus. The infection can spread to other parts of the foot and even the leg if left untreated, leading to a more serious condition called cellulitis.
Chronic Pain: Ingrown toenails often cause chronic pain and discomfort, making it difficult to walk or wear shoes comfortably.
Nail Deformity: In some cases, chronic ingrown toenails can cause the nail to grow abnormally or even fall off, leading to a permanent nail deformity.
Worsening of Underlying Conditions: People with underlying conditions like diabetes or peripheral artery disease are at higher risk of complications from ingrown toenails, such as foot ulcers or gangrene.
It is essential to seek medical attention at the earliest as soon as an individual notices the symptoms of an ingrown toenail. Early treatment can prevent serious complications and ensure that the condition doesn’t get worse.
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Ingrown Toenail Treatment Methods
The treatment for an ingrown toenail depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, conservative treatments and home remedies can be helpful to relieve the symptoms. However, in severe cases, medical or surgical treatment may be necessary to resolve the problem effectively. Here are some of the common treatment methods for ingrown toenails:
Soaking the Foot: Soaking the affected foot in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes, two to three times a day, can help reduce pain and swelling. Adding Epsom salt or other disinfectants to the water can also help to prevent infection.
Lifting the Nail: The doctor may use a cotton swab or dental floss to lift the edge of the ingrown toenail and place a small piece of cotton or dental floss under the nail. This can help the nail grow above the skin and relieve the pressure.
Antibiotics: If there is an infection present, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help fight the infection.
Partial Nail Removal: In more severe cases, the doctor may need to remove the part of the nail that is digging into the skin. This is a minor surgical procedure that can be done under local anesthesia.
Total Nail Removal: In extreme cases where the ingrown toenail is recurrent or very severe, the entire nail may need to be removed. This procedure is also done under local anesthesia and is usually reserved for chronic or severe cases.
Seeking medical attention as soon as possible can help prevent complications and ensure effective treatment.
How is Ingrown Toenail Surgery Performed?
Ingrown toenail surgery involves partial or complete removal of the toenail growing into the skin tissues. It can be done through avulsion or matricectomy as required. The actual steps vary depending on the technique being used by the surgeon. In general, the procedure is carried out in the following steps-
The patient is given local anesthesia to numb the toe and reduce pain during the procedure.
The surgeon will then use a scalpel and specialized nail nippers to remove the affected portion of the toenail. In some cases, the entire toenail may need to be removed.
If matricectomy is being performed, the surgeon may use chemical (phenol), surgical, laser, or radiofrequency techniques to remove the affected nail matrix safely.
Once the nail is removed, the surgeon will clean and treat the nail bed to prevent infection.
A sterile dressing is then applied to the toe to protect the nail bed and promote healing.
In most cases, ingrown toenail surgery is a quick and simple outpatient procedure that can be completed in a doctor’s office or clinic. The procedure usually takes around 30 minutes. After the surgery, the patient is kept under observation for an hour or so and then sent home on the same day. Then, the doctor will provide instructions on how to care for the toe and prevent post-surgery complications.
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Techniques Used for Ingrown Toenail Surgery
Several techniques are used for ingrown toenail surgery, and the choice of technique will depend on the severity of the ingrown toenail. Here are some of the common techniques used for ingrown toenail surgery:
Partial Nail Avulsion: It is the most common technique used for ingrown toenail removal. This technique involves removing the edge or corner of the toenail that is digging into the skin and the nail bed underneath it. The remaining part of the nail is left intact.
Total Nail Avulsion: This technique involves removing the entire toenail, including the nail bed underneath it. It is usually reserved for severe cases of ingrown toenails or cases where the condition is recurrent.
Chemical Matricectomy: In this technique, a chemical, mostly phenol, is used to destroy the nail matrix (the tissue that produces the nail) in the affected area. Phenol is a caustic agent that destroys the matrix cells and prevents the nail from growing back in the exact location.
Laser Surgery: Laser surgery can remove the ingrown toenail and cauterize the tissue to prevent regrowth. The laser energy destroys the tissue and seals blood vessels, reducing bleeding and post-operative pain. This technique is not commonly used and is typically reserved for more severe cases.
Radiofrequency Ablation: This technique uses a special device that delivers a high-frequency electrical current to the affected area, which destroys the tissue and prevents the ingrown toenail from growing back.
The surgeon will choose the safest and most effective technique for ingrown toenail removal. It’s also advisable to understand the risks and benefits of each technique to make an informed decision.
Risks & Complications of Toenail Removal Surgery
Though ingrown toenail removal is not complex, it has the following risks and potential complications –
Infection: It is the most common risk of surgical procedures. If the patient fails to keep the wound clean and dry, there will be a higher risk of infection.
Bleeding: Mild to moderate bleeding is common in toenail removal surgery and it is typically controlled with pressure or a cauterizing agent. However, in some cases, especially in diabetic patients, there is a risk of excessive bleeding during the procedure.
Scarring– Usually, the scarring after toenail removal is minimal, but if the patient’s healing abilities are impaired, the wound may not heal properly, which can cause major scarring on the toe.
Numbness or Tingling Sensation– Nerve damage is very common during surgical procedures, including toenail removal. And when the nerves are damaged, the patient may experience numbness or tingling sensation in the toe temporarily or for the long term.
Anesthesia Reaction- Some patients may also experience reactions to anesthesia, such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, disorientation, etc., for a few days.
It’s important to discuss the risks and potential complications of toenail removal surgery with the doctor before the procedure and to follow their instructions for post-operative care to reduce the risk of complications.
What to Expect After Toenail Removal?
Some common things that the patient should expect after toenail removal surgery include the following-
Pain and discomfort for which medications will be prescribed by the doctor.
Swelling in and around the treated area for several days. The patient is advised to keep the foot elevated to manage and reduce the swelling.
Leg or foot movements will be limited for a while after the surgery. The patient is advised to avoid physical activities and putting weight on foot.
Disorientation or nausea are also common to expect after surgical treatment.
Most of these will resolve on their own in a few days after surgery. The doctor or his/her team will give detailed instructions for post-surgery care and a follow-up schedule to monitor the recovery.
Recovery After Ingrown Toenail Removal
The ingrown toenail surgery recovery time can be around 3 weeks to 3 months, depending on the severity of the ingrown toenail and the type of surgery performed. Throughout the recovery period, the patient will have to follow the guidelines below for a smooth and quick recovery –
Take the prescribed pain medications as directed by the doctor to manage the pain and discomfort. The doctor will adjust the dosage as the toe heals.
Don’t forget to take antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and other medicines to manage the swelling, bruising, and redness in the treated area.
The dressing needs to be changed frequently during the initial healing period. Follow the instructions given by the doctor to change the dressings.
Also, keep the dressing and wound clean and dry to prevent infections.
Avoid putting weight on foot for the first few days after surgery and gradually resume normal activities when the pain becomes manageable.
Take proper rest and keep the foot elevated as much as possible in the initial days after surgery.
The nail may take several months to regrow, which is normal. Be patient and take proper care of the foot, and maintain hygiene.
Take regular follow-ups with the doctor to monitor the healing and look out for early signs of complications, if any.
In most cases, patients get back to normal activities within a week or so after toenail removal, but others may require longer if the condition is severe.
Ingrown Toenail Treatment provides the following benefits-
Long-lasting relief from pain and discomfort caused due to ingrown toenails. The surgery removes the cause of the problem, which gives immediate relief.
Once the ingrown nail is treated, the risk of developing infection in the affected area will be reduced.
Ingrown toenails often impact mobility and the individual’s ability to walk and wear shoes comfortably. Surgery will address these concerns and improve mobility and the patient’s ability to perform normal activities without discomfort.
Surgical treatments are known to reduce the chances of recurrent ingrown toenails.
As a result of surgery, the patient will become more aware of foot hygiene.
Ingrown Toenail Surgery Cost in India
Generally, the ingrown toenail surgery Cost in India can range from around Rs. 20000 to Rs. 50000 or more. The overall cost varies for each patient due to the following factors-
The location or city where you are getting treatment
The choice of hospital or clinic and related expenses
Technique used for treatment
Severity of the condition
Doctor/surgeon’s fee
Other expenses may include pre-operative consultations, diagnostic tests, medications, and post-operative care. These additional expenses can also add to the total cost of the surgery.
Stages of Ingrown Toenails
Stage I- Inflammatory Stage
Mild edema and pain are present at this stage, but the nail fold doesn’t extend over the nail plate. General measures or conservative techniques are used for treatment at this stage. Excision of spicule and partialmatricectomy may be recommended for adults and Type I Diabetes Mellitus.
Stage II- Abscess Stage
Pain, edema, erythema, hyperesthesia, and infection are present at this stage. The nail fold extends over the nail plate and measures less than 3 mm. In young patients and in controlled diabetics, this stage is managed by chemical partial matricectomy with phenol.
If the hypertrophic nail fold extends over the nail plate and measures more than 3 mm, the nail fold and toenail are removed by wedge resection to perform the aesthetic reconstruction.
Stage III- Hypertrophic Stage
Chronic hypertrophy is present at this stage, and granulation may also start to occur. The overgrowth on the lateral nail plate is done through the Winograd technique, which involves wedge resection of the toenail and nail fold.
Stage IV- Distal Hypertrophic Stage
This is the most severe stage in which chronic toenail deformity is present in both lateral and distal nail folds. The hypertrophic tissue entirely covers the lateral, medial, and distal nail plate. In young patients, wedge resection is done using the Winograd technique. And in adults, total matricectomy with phenol is recommended.
FAQs around Ingrown Toenail Removal
Is it possible to remove ingrown toenails at home?
It is generally not recommended to remove an ingrown toenail at home, as doing so can lead to further complications such as infection or abnormal growth of the toenail. In some cases, attempting to remove the nail at home can also cause significant pain and discomfort.
You can try soaking the feet in warm water, OTC medications, or topical ointment to get proper relief. And if these don’t work, it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional who can assess the severity of the condition and recommend the most suitable treatment plan.
Who to consult for ingrown toenail removal?
Initially, if you have an ingrown toenail, you can also consult with a primary care physician or a dermatologist, who may be able to diagnose and treat less severe cases of ingrown toenails.
However, if the ingrown toenail is severe or has led to infection or other complications, a podiatrist or a general surgeon is usually the best healthcare provider to consult.
How can I contact Pristyn Care doctors for toenail removal?
To get in touch with Pristyn Care’s best doctors for toenail removal, you can choose any of the following ways-
Call us on the number given at the top and talk to our care coordinators to schedule your appointment.
Fill out the “Book Appointment” form and submit your details. Our coordinators will call you back and confirm the appointment at a date and time which is convenient for you.
Schedule the appointment directly with the doctor of your choice through the Pristyn Care app.
Is ingrown toenail surgery covered by health insurance?
Most health insurance plans cover medically necessary surgical procedures, which may include ingrown toenail surgery if it is deemed necessary. However, some insurance plans may have limitations or exclusions for certain treatment types of toenail fungus, so it’s always recommended to check with your insurance provider to determine if your plan covers the surgery and to what extent.
When can I walk after undergoing toenail removal surgery?
The patient should avoid putting weight on the affected foot for the first 24-48 hours following surgery. It is generally recommended to limit activity and rest for the first few days after undergoing toenail removal surgery.
This can help to reduce pain and promote healing. After the initial recovery period, the patient may be able to walk with the assistance of a protective shoe or other devices.
Why diabetic patients are at high risk of having ingrown toenails?
Diabetic patients are at higher risk of developing ingrown toenails due to a combination of factors related to their condition.
The primary reason is that diabetes can cause nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy. This can affect sensation in the feet, making it harder to feel pain or discomfort from an ingrown toenail, and delaying treatment.
Diabetes can also lead to poor blood circulation, which can affect the healing process and increase the risk of infection, making it more difficult for the body to fight off infections like those that can occur with an ingrown toenail.
For these reasons, diabetic patients should take extra care when it comes to foot health, including regularly checking for signs of an ingrown toenail, wearing properly fitted shoes, and seeking prompt medical attention for any foot-related issues.
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