TOENAIL SURGERY
Long-term relief for painful ingrown, infected, and damaged toenails, performed by expert London podiatrists.Our specialised toenail surgery in London provides long-term relief for painful ingrown, infected, damaged, or thickened toenails.
Ingrown or deformed toenails range from being merely uncomfortable to being painful and infected. Toenail problems are amongst the most common reasons for people seeking the assistance of a podiatrist because they’re impossible to ignore and often can’t be resolved without professional treatment.
At Feet By Pody, we always try a range of chiropody treatments to resolve your toenail problems first, but sometimes the only effective long-term solution is minor toenail surgery performed under local anaesthetic. This procedure can provide permanent relief, and our experienced foot specialists manage the entire process in a hygienic medical environment.
Expert Toenail Surgery in London
If you have a painful or recurring ingrown toenail, infected nail, or thickened toenail that hasn’t responded to treatment, minor toenail surgery may provide permanent relief. Our experienced podiatrists carry out safe, effective toenail removal procedures under local anaesthetic at our London clinics.
Why you might need Toenail Surgery
The most common problem requiring minor toenail surgery is an ingrowing toenail, where the side of your nail cuts into the surrounding skin. Mostly affecting the big toe, the skin can become inflamed and infected, which can be very painful.
If this is the first time you’ve experienced an issue with this nail and the condition is not too severe, a podiatrist may be able to help using a conservative treatment approach. Unfortunately, if the problem has been left untreated, become infected, is too embedded in the skin, or keeps recurring, toenail surgery may be the best solution.
There are many different causes of ingrown toenails, including poor nail cutting technique, narrow-fitting shoes, or injury. Sometimes it’s simply genetic, particularly if you naturally have highly curved nails.
Other situations that may require toenail surgery include fungal nail infections or thickened toenails that press on the nail bed and cause painful corns to form beneath the nail.
Toenail Surgery Procedure
Many people mistakenly believe toenail surgery is a complicated procedure requiring a hospital visit. However, this is often not the case. It’s a routine minor surgical procedure that our expert podiatrists can perform at any of our London clinics.
We perform two types of surgery:
- A partial nail avulsion, where one or both sides of the affected nail are removed
- A total nail avulsion, where the entire nail is removed
The area is fully numbed using local anaesthetic so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Once the nail has been removed, we apply a chemical to destroy the nail cells and help prevent the problematic part of the nail from growing back.
The procedure is quick, and most patients are able to walk out of the clinic afterwards. Our team will explain every stage of the treatment and aftercare process, so you know exactly what to expect.
We then dress the toe and arrange any necessary follow-up appointments to ensure the area is healing properly.
Click here for further information on the protocol of nail surgery.
Toenail Surgery FAQs
Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about toenail surgery, including what to expect before, during, and after treatment. If you’re unsure whether this procedure is right for you or have had previous treatment that hasn’t resolved the issue, our team can guide you through the best options during your consultation.
Can I Eat before the Procedure?
Yes. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you can eat and drink as normal beforehand.
Do I need to wear anything special for Surgery?
We recommend wearing loose-fitting or open-toed shoes on the day of your surgery to help keep the toe comfortable afterwards.
Can I drive after Toenail Surgery?
No, you should arrange for somebody to drive you home. Your motor insurance could be compromised by having a local anesthetic in your toe.
Will it be Painful?
The procedure itself should not be painful because the toe is fully numbed using local anaesthetic. Once the anaesthetic wears off, you may experience some discomfort for a few days, but this is usually manageable with rest and over-the-counter pain relief.
Will the nail grow back?
Not always. Whether the nail grows back depends on the type of toenail surgery being carried out and will be discussed with you before your procedure.
If a chemical is applied to the nail matrix (the area that produces the nail), the aim is to prevent the treated section of the nail from growing back permanently. This is often recommended when an ingrown toenail is recurrent or causing ongoing problems.
If the chemical is not applied, the nail or section of nail that has been removed will usually grow back over time.
In some cases, patients may have had previous procedures where a chemical was used but the nail problem has returned or persisted. Alternative treatment options are available and can be discussed during your consultation. If you have had a previous unsuccessful toenail procedure, we recommend booking directly so your treatment plan can be properly assessed.
What are the Aftercare Procedures?
Once home, we recommend that you rest and keep your foot elevated for a few hours. You can return to work or school the following day, although we advise you refrain from sporting activity for up to three weeks.
Keep your toe dry until your follow-up appointment a few days later, where we will show you how to dress your toe, which you’ll need to do on a daily basis for a few weeks. We’ll have a final review approximately four weeks after surgery.
Why Choose Feet By Pody?
At Feet By Pody, our foot specialists have many years of experience performing minor toenail surgery, and we understand that some patients feel anxious about the procedure. We only recommend surgery once all appropriate conservative treatment options have been explored, and we’ll fully explain the process to help you feel comfortable and reassured throughout.
Our podiatrists regularly treat patients experiencing painful, recurring nail problems, and we understand how debilitating these conditions can become if left untreated.
We operate from five modern, well-equipped clinics across London, where we follow stringent sterilisation procedures to provide the highest possible standards of hygienic foot care. We can also prescribe and supply antibiotics if required.
With clinics across the city, accessing expert podiatry care is straightforward and convenient.
You can visit Feet By Pody at any of our clinics:
• Canary Wharf E14.
• City EC2
• Woolwich Royal Arsenal SE18
• London Bridge SE1
• South Kensington SW7
If you’re struggling with a painful ingrown toenail, recurring infection, or a thickened toenail that’s affecting your comfort, book an appointment with Feet By Pody today. Our experienced London podiatrists can assess your condition and advise whether conservative treatment or minor toenail surgery is the best option.
Book Online or call 020 7099 6657 to speak with one of our friendly, knowledgeable healthcare professionals.
