Ingrown Toenail Treatment & Toenail Surgery in Birmingham
At Dr Foot Podiatry, toenail surgery is a quick and effective minor procedure performed under local anaesthetic, meaning the toe is completely numb and you will not feel pain during treatment.
Toenail surgery involves removing either part of the nail (partial nail avulsion) or the entire nail plate (total nail avulsion), depending on the severity of the problem.
This treatment is commonly recommended for:
Ingrown toenails
Infected ingrown toenails
Thickened or damaged nails
Unsightly or discoloured nails
Recurring nail pain or infection
All nail surgery procedures are subject to an assessment with an experienced podiatrist at Dr Foot Podiatry.
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What Is Toenail Surgery?
Toenail surgery is a minor surgical procedure used to permanently treat painful or recurring nail problems.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and involves removing either part or all of the nail. In cases of ingrowing toenails, the offending section of nail is removed to relieve pressure, pain, and infection.
After the nail section is removed, a chemical called phenol is carefully applied to the nail root (matrix) to stop that portion of nail from growing back. This helps prevent the problem from returning.
Toenail surgery is often recommended when:
Conservative treatment has failed
The ingrown toenail keeps coming back
There is ongoing pain or infection
The nail is severely damaged or deformed
What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail presses into or grows into the surrounding skin.
This can cause:
Pain and tenderness
Swelling and redness
Infection or discharge
Difficulty wearing shoes or walking comfortably
Ingrown toenails most commonly affect the big toe, but can occur on any toenail.
Common causes include:
Cutting nails too short
Curved or naturally misshapen nails
Tight footwear
Trauma or injury
Repeated pressure from sport or activity
Benefits of Toenail Surgery
Toenail surgery offers a fast and effective long-term solution.
Benefits include:
✔ Permanent removal of the ingrown nail edge
✔ Immediate relief from pain and pressure
✔ Helps remove the cause of infection
✔ Prevents chronic recurrence
✔ Improves the appearance of thickened or damaged nails
✔ Performed under local anaesthetic
✔ No need to fast before surgery
✔ Minimal downtime
✔ No hospital visit required
✔ No long waiting lists
✔ Partial nail removal is cosmetically acceptable
What Happens During Toenail Surgery?
Toenail surgery is usually only necessary when conservative treatment has not worked.
The procedure is simple and typically takes less than an hour:
1. Assessment
Your podiatrist will assess the nail and discuss the best treatment option.
2. Local Anaesthetic
The toe is numbed using local anaesthetic so the procedure is pain-free.
3. Nail Removal
Either the offending side of the nail or the whole nail is removed.
4. Phenol Application
Phenol is applied to prevent regrowth of the problematic section.
5. Dressing Applied
A sterile dressing is applied, and aftercare advice is provided.
Most patients are able to walk out of the clinic afterwards.
Toenail Surgery Aftercare & Recovery
Recovery is usually straightforward.
You may experience mild discomfort once the anaesthetic wears off, but this is usually manageable with pain relief.
Most patients can:
Return to normal activities within a few days
Wear open or roomy footwear initially
Keep the toe clean and dressed as advised
Healing usually takes 4–6 weeks, depending on the procedure.
Why Choose Toenail Surgery at Dr Foot Podiatry?
We provide professional ingrown toenail treatment in Birmingham without the need for a hospital referral.
✔ Experienced podiatrists
✔ Fast appointments available
✔ No waiting lists
✔ Convenient Birmingham clinic
✔ Friendly aftercare support
Toe nail surgery in only necessary for patients that do not respond to conservative treatment. The video below is a step by step guide of toe nail surgery which was carried out in our clinic. Warning this is not for the faint hearted!
Further Reading