More about the Nail Surgery process
During your initial consultation, the podiatrist will assess your suitability for surgery. This will include looking at your medical history, listening to your concerns and undertaking a vascular, neurological and local anaesthetic assessment. The podiatrist will discuss the various treatmentoptions available alongside the risks and benefits of the each procedure. You will be given some written information to take away anrebooked if you choose to go ahead with the procedure. On the day of the procedure;
- The podiatrist will ensure you are comfortable and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
- Both the patient and podiatrist will sign a consent form.
- The toe is numbed using two injections of local anaesthetic at the base of the toe.
- After a few minutes the podiatrist will check to ensure anaesthesia has been achieved and that the toe is fully numbed
- The area will be cleansed and a tight band (tourniquet) will be applied to minimise bleeding
- A) A Partial nail avulsion – gentle removal of a small piece at the side of the toenail or B) A Total nail avulsion – gentle removal of the whole nail plate
- The Podiatrist then applies a chemical (Phenol) for 3 minutes (this is what stops the nail or piece of nail that has been removed from regrowing).
- A large bandage is applied to the toe and you are advised to return home and elevate the foot for the remainder of the day. The banage is to be kept on, clean and dry for 24-48hrs.
- Pain relief can be take if required
- You will usually return a day or two later to have the bandage changed.
In most cases you can return to work/school within 24-48hrs following the procedure. Your podiatrist will give you advice on footwear and returning to work and sport.
Incisional Nail surgery
The Winograd (partial nail avulsion) and the Zadik (total nail avulsion) procedures arre performed where instead of applying a chemical to destroy the nail cells, the root (matrix) of the nail is surgically removed and sutures (stitches) are used to close the site. These procedures offer a reliable healing time of 2-3 weeks and are often used in the following circumstances:
- Requirement for rapid healing
- Regrowth following previous phenol nail surgery
- If the patient is ‘at risk’ of delayed healing
- Diabetic patients
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding