The idea of nail surgery can be a little worrying. This is usually because members of the general public rarely come across it until it affects them or someone they're close to. We may notice chiropodists' or podiatrists' clinics, but won't often associate them with nail surgery.
It's likely that you may not consider the subject unless you find your own toe is causing you agony and you need nail surgery!
Information about the conditions and remedies for toe nail problems will help to reassure you about nail surgery and enable you to select a Clinic which satisfies your individual requirements.
A complete and permanent cure for intense pain and infection of the flesh surrounding the toe nail is usually only provided by surgery. Antibiotics may cure the infection, but the underlying causes can create a reoccurrence of pain and infection. These causes vary from person to person, but the resulting condition looks much the same.
Causes of pain in the toe are of two main types; the nail has been damaged in some way (by an accident or inadequate foot care) or the nail is growing in an unusual way (it's become too thick or too big).
Obviously the surgery will be selected to cure your own problems. If the nail has been damaged, then total nail avulsion (complete removal of the nail) or partial nail avulsion (removal of part of the nail) without the removal of the nail bed, will be appropriate. In this way the damaged parts of the nail will be disposed of and the nail will grow back as normal.
If there are minor abnormalities in the nail which are causing the pain, then again partial nail avulsion may be the cure, but the nail bed will also need surgery. For instance, a too wide nail will need the removal of that part of the nail bed to prevent it growing back in the same way. Practitioners will take care to make sure that the nail looks good too.
Once you've understood why nail surgery may be necessary and what it will do for the problem, it's helpful to know a few practicalities.
The site of surgery will usually be very painful before the intervention, and the first part of the procedure will be a couple of anaesthetic injections into the toe base. This might be uncomfortable but the anaesthetic will take effect quickly and the surgery itself should cause little discomfort.
Once the actual surgery is over (about fifteen minutes), your toe will be dressed and you'll be given an appointment for a follow-up dressing change and check-up. It's suggested that you sit with your foot up as much as possible and go back to work (if appropriate), the following day. Over-the-counter painkillers (avoiding aspirin which may increase bleeding) can be taken for any initial discomfort and you should wear roomy shoes and socks.
You'll see that nail surgery is a clear procedure which offers fast relief from severe pain. Choose your practitioner by inspecting qualifications, the welcome and information offered by the clinic and your own impressions. Do you feel satisfied and comfortable with the information and answers offered? Ask other local people for information about their experiences. Then make your choice and get your appointment.
A calm, professional atmosphere in the clinic Reception will reassure you and obviously, the availability of appointments to suit your needs is also important.
Having found a Clinic that you trust you'll be able to relax with the procedures and be well cared for throughout your nail surgery.
