Ingrown Toenail (cont.)
What types of nail surgery are used for ingrown toenails?
Minor ingrown
toenails may require simply trimming back the protruding nail sliver or piece
away from the nail fold. More aggressive, debilitating cases may require a minor
surgical procedure called partial nail matricectomy. Surgery should be
considered as last resort after conservative local treatments have failed. Nail
surgery may cause permanent nail deformity, poor cosmetic appearance, and other
possible complications.
Matricectomy is the process of surgically, chemically, or electrically
destroying all or part of the base nail portion called the nail matrix. Complete
destruction of the nail matrix results in permanent loss of that portion of the
nail. Once the nail matrix is fully removed or destroyed, a new nail plate
cannot ever be regenerated. This surgical procedure is commonly curative for
recurrent cases of ingrown toenails. Often, only the lateral (side) 1/3 or 1/4
of the affected nail is removed in matricectomy. Much less commonly, both sides
of the nail matrix are removed (bilateral matricectomy) or the entire nail
matrix is removed (complete matricectomy).
Must I have surgery?
Surgical treatment is usually reserved for severe or
recurrent cases of ingrown toenails. Surgery is not commonly required in most
instances. If you keep getting an ingrown toenail, then a minor surgical
procedure may be helpful to prevent recurrences.
How can I prevent ingrown toenails from recurring?
Recurrent ingrown toenails may be preventable
by wearing wider-toe shoes and avoiding trauma and repeated injury to toenails.
Further measures include protecting toes during sports and avoiding curving or
overcutting toenails too short at the edges.
Ingrown Toenail Do's
- Do wear wider toe shoes.
- Do avoid repeated injury to toenails.
- Do protect toes during sports.
- Do maintain good foot hygiene.
- Do cut toenails straight across.
- Do keep toenails trim and clean.
|
Next: Ingrown Toenail Don'ts »
Skin RSS