INGROWN TOENAIL SOLUTIONS AT EASTERN FOOT CARE PODIATRY

An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or side of the toenail penetrates or irritates the fleshy skin of the toe that borders the nail edge. This often results in pain and inflammation of the toe and can often become easily infected. Numerous factors can contribute to the cause of an ingrown toenail including incorrect nail cutting technique, trauma, poor footwear and the inherent nail shape. Helping to establish the cause of an ingrown toenail often helps to guide treatment and preventing re-occurrence of the problem.

There are several treatment options available to treat and manage ingrown toenails depending on the specific presentation. Your podiatrist will thoroughly assess your presenting complaint and work with you to establish and implement the most suitable treatment
plan.

Conservative management of an ingrown toenail can include:

* Gentle removal of the offending nail spike andimplementation of a suitable dressing regime to help promote healing and prevent possible or further infection

* Education on correct nail cutting technique

* Footwear improvements

* Offloading toe splints

* Antibiotics (where appropriate)

On some occasions conservative
management techniques may not be suitable for you presenting ingrown toenail or may fail to provide sustainable relief. In this instance your podiatrist may recommend a more permanent solution and consideration towards a Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) may be of benefit.

A Partial Nail Avulsion is a minimally invasive procedure completed under local anaesthetic (general anaesthetic is not required), right here in the Eastern Foot Care rooms, completed within the day and allows you to walk away straight after the procedure. This procedure is highly successful at providing a permanent long term solution to re-current ingrown toenails with minimal post surgery discomfort experienced by patients.

As mentioned above, this procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and involves removal of the offending nail portion from the base of growth. Once removed a chemical is applied to prevent re-growth of this section of the nail therefore providing a long term solution. No soft tissue cutting or stitching is required. A suitable dressing is then applied.

Post procedure, several review appointments are required to monitor healing and allow implementation of suitable dressing regimes to promote healing and minimise chance of infection development.

Although some activity and footwear modification is required post procedure to minimise delayed healing, there is minimal interruption to normal work and daily routines.

Once wound healing has been achieved a patient is discharged from care, typically requiring no further treatment or intervention.

If you or somebody you know has a problem ingrown toenail the expert Podiatrists at Eastern Foot Care Podiatry Ringwood and Eastern Foot Care Podiatry Knox can develop a management strategy to suit your presentation.

To make an appointment contact our friendly staff at:

Eastern Foot Care Ringwood
27 Wantirna Rd, RINGWOOD
Ph: (03) 9870 1301

Eastern Foot Care Knox
5a/426 Burwood Hwy, WANTIRNA SOUTH (Knox)
Ph: (03) 9887 2233