How Does Nail Surgery Help?
Nail Surgery offers a permanent solution by removing the problem portion, or the whole nail if recommended, and preventing it from regrowing.
Podiatrists are uniquely trained to perform this treatment, so you can attend familiar and comfortable surroundings for your care.
It is carried out under local anaesthetic, so the procedure itself is painless. It usually takes about an hour to complete, and the numbness will last approximately 1 further hour.
What happens during a Nail Surgery?
We shall always complete a full assessment of the problem, your relevant health conditions and ability to self care. If nail surgery is agreed as the best treatment option for you, we will fully discuss what this involves and schedule the procedure for an appropriate time.
On the day we shall administer local anaesthetic to the affected toe(s), and remove a portion or all of the nail (according to what has been agreed with you). We then destroy the root cells of the removed part to ensure it does not grow back. You shall then have a large dressing on the toe, be issued with advice for your first 24 hours, and enjoy your lift home to rest. You will return the next day to have a standard dressing applied and further education on how to care for your toe at home.
We appreciate the procedure is not always the most pleasant of experiences, especially for those who are squeamish or needle phobic, so we encourage the use of music/video/games and other distractions to help you feel comfortable.
What happens after?
There will be an amount of post operative self-care to undertake following the procedure, some of which will take place in our clinic, and some at home. You will be fully instructed and well-stocked in materials.
Our treatment packages mean that we take care of our nail surgery patients from beginning to end. We even audit our results to ensure we maintain the high success rate that we are proud of – 90% at recent review! The nail surgery process can present a slight upheaval to daily life in the short term, but it is well worth the effort for a long-term pain free outcome! Talk to us about assessment for Nail Surgery.
As part of our treatment package, you will be issued with a dressing pack and supplies to enable you to keep the area clean and facilitate swift healing. You can also improve healing rates further by adding laser to your treatment package (additional fees apply).
If you have been struggling with ingrowing toenails then get in touch!
Are there alternatives?
Nail Bracing
As an alternative to the above procedure, bracing works in a very gentle way to gradually lessen the curvature of a nail.
We use a system which involves tensioned strips applied to the surface of the nail and hooked under the edge(s). It puts slight tension on the sides, pulling them upward gradually, and is best suited to niggling nails that have developed gradually over time.
After 3 months, a new brace is applied to the new nail growth and so the process continues until the desired shape is achieved. It is a slow process but completely painless. It is not suitable for all nails so please chat to us about your individual circumstances.
General Care
Sometimes maintaining the nail regularly is the only appropriate treament. This takes place in a general podiatry appointment, ensuring your feet are regularly looked after and monitored, and you enjoy ongoing comfort.
There are a number of key benefits to podiatry, including:
Confidence in being able to walk comfortably
Screening for health conditions such as diabetes and irregular heartbeat
Foot health is monitored closely and changes reported
Knowledge of pharmaceutical effects on foot health
Only non-medical profession trained in nail surgery
Identify effect of systemic disease on foot health and function
Dermatology trained, including verruca treatment
Trained in CPR and defibrillation and anaphylaxis
Wound care trained, including diabetic wounds
Access to supply and administer relevant prescription-only medicines, e.g. antibiotics and antifungals
Trained in assessing and rehabilitating mechanical function of the lower limb and prescription of orthoses
Reassurance that the professional is regulated and registered, and training kept up-to-date
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Where To Find Us
Canal Way
Ilminster
TA19 9FE
United Kingdom
