An ingrown toenail is a common issue when the edge of the toenail grows into the skin of the toe. Once the edge of the nail breaks through the skin, it produces inflammation and even swelling which is extremely painful when walking or exercising. Ingrown toenails are most common on the big toe but can also occur on any toe.
Treatment Options for Ingrown Toenail
There are several types of treatments for ingrown toenails, including soaking the foot, proper nail trimming, and surgical treatments. Often poor fitting shoes can be a culprit of an ingrown toenail. Call the Foot Specialists of Greater Cincinnati at (859) 341-9900 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tirone to assess the ingrown toenail and to relieve pain today!
Ingrown Toenail Surgery
Several medical treatments have been developed to cure chronic ingrown toenails. Some ingrown toenail treatments are invasive and require stitches and local anesthetic. However, less invasive treatments are a good option for many of the patients. These non-surgical treatments also may reduce post-operative pain.
Nail surgery is usually quite safe, and often with minimal post-operative pain. Partial nail excision surgery can reduce the risk of recurrence caused by a regrowth of the nail. In this procedure, the doctor removes the outside edge of the nail, along with the nail root. The doctor then treats the area where the nail root is located with a chemical to prevent nail regrowth.
The surgery is done using a local anesthetic in the office, to reduce discomfort during or after the procedure. After the procedure, the doctor will bandage your toe and send you home with simple post-treatment instructions. The post-treatment care may include painkillers, elevation of the foot, and rest.