It may also involve the destruction of the nail bed itself.
This may be done on fingernails or toenails and is considered if conservative measures have proven ineffective.
What Is Ingrown Nail Surgery?
Verywell / Lara Antal
During ingrown nail surgery, part or all of the affected nail is surgically removed.
The bed that the ingrown nail sits on is also sometimes treated.
Most of the time, the procedure is done withlocal anesthesiafor pain control.
If the surgery is being done to treat asevere infection involving the bones, you may haveregional anesthesia.
Procedures that need to be done in the operating room due to infected bone are done by a surgeon.
If you could’t do so for some reason, you would have to postpone your surgery until you could.
Potential Risks
Generally, ingrown nail surgery is safe.
But there are risks and potential complications of the procedure.
It can also help prevent the nail from becoming ingrown again.
Some of these factors may lead your healthcare provider to suggest ingrown nail surgery sooner than later.
How to Prepare
Your healthcare provider will diagnose an ingrown nail by its appearance.
Be sure you are clear about the technique your healthcare provider plans to use.
Often, health insurance payers do not cover laser-based ingrown nail procedures.
Location
You will have your procedure in your healthcare provider’s clinic office.
Food and Drink
You do not need to abstain from food or drink before your surgery.
You may be given a prescription for oral antibiotics if you have an infection.
Be sure to take it according to your healthcare provider’s specific pre-surgery and post-surgery instructions.
Also, bring along someone who can drive you home after your surgery.
If your foot was operated on, you will not be able to put pressure on it.
If you are having the surgery in an operating room, you will go to a pre-surgical area first.
You will then lie down and your healthcare provider will examine your ingrown nail.
Just your ingrown nail and a portion of the toe/finger will be exposed.
It will be cleaned with a surgical cleansing solution to prevent infection.
Then, an anesthetic medication will be injected near the nail for pain control.
The medication is used to decrease nerve sensation.
During the Surgery
If you receive local anesthesia, you will be awake during your surgery.
Before your healthcare provider begins, they may ask you whether you feel any pain or pressure.
Your wound will be covered with a surgical dressing and covered with bandages.
You will be told to continue elevating your foot at home for the rest of the day.
Your healthcare provider may advise you to use crutches for several days.
Before being sent home, you will receive instructions on home care and next steps.
Take showers instead of baths, and avoid swimming or soaking the nail in a foot bath.
Be sure to use your oral or topical antibiotics as prescribed.
Laser treatment is generally associated with less pain and a faster recovery.
For example, if you have surgical stitching, pressure can cause sutures to break.
After ingrown fingernail surgery, you may need to use your non-surgical hand for some tasks during recovery.
you might still move the affected limb, however.
The skin and the nail should grow back over the wound.
You may notice, however, that the nail isn’t growing as you might expect.
It might be asymmetric or could have some irregularities.
Generally, if the nail doesn’t grow back, the skin can thicken and scar.
You might consider these cosmetic issues, but are not medical concerns.
Surgical reconstruction is sometimes done by a plastic surgeon to improve the appearance of a nail.
Possible Future Surgeries
An ingrown nail can recur even after it has been surgically repaired.
Laser treatment is associated with a high rate of recurrence.
In such cases, non-surgical treatment may be tried againand prove effective.
Or, repeat ingrown nail surgery may be needed.
Taking these steps can actually be a critical part of the surgery being as effective as possible.
See your primary care provider or a podiatrist for an evaluation.
Remember that conservative management, as simple as it may seem, is usually effective.
But if that’s not enough, surgery may be right for you.
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