You may wonder if surgery for an ingrown toenail is painful and how long it takes to recover. Rest assured, the procedure, often known as partial nail avulsion, isn’t painful due to local anaesthesia.
The surgery itself lasts around 30 to 45 minutes. Post-surgery, recovery spans from 2 to 6 weeks, though many resume their everyday activities within 24 to 48 hours.
However, to ensure complete healing and avoid complications, following aftercare guidelines is essential. Are you curious about the specific steps involved or when you should seek professional help?
Nail Surgery Key Takeaways
- Local anaesthesia minimises pain during the ingrown toenail surgery.
- The procedure duration is typically between 30 to 45 minutes.
- Full recovery time ranges from 2 to 6 weeks.
- Most patients resume work within 24 to 48 hours post-surgery.
- Proper aftercare and follow-up appointments are vital for successful healing.
Understanding Ingrown Toenail Surgery
Understanding ingrown toenail surgery begins with knowing the procedure’s basics and importance. In cases where the toenail grows painfully into the surrounding skin, intervention becomes necessary. To ensure minimal discomfort during the operation, we perform the primary surgical procedure for an ingrown toenail, known as partial nail avulsion, under local aesthesia.
This ingrown toenail surgery involves the careful removal of the problematic nail portion. After excising the ingrown section, the nail bed receives an application of phenol. This chemical agent is essential because it prevents regrowth of the offending nail portion, reducing the condition’s recurrence rate.
How to remove ingrown toenails once and for all depends on precision and adequate aftercare. Following the surgery, adhering to detailed aftercare instructions is vital. You’ll need to elevate the foot for 1-2 days, change the dressings daily, and possibly take prescribed pain relief. These steps aid in reducing complications and promote healing.
While mild discomfort may linger, most patients resume normal activities within two weeks. Careful attention ensures a complete recovery, promotes healthy and normal nail growth, and significantly reduces the likelihood of future issues.
Will I Feel Pain During The Procedure?
When undergoing surgery for an ingrown toenail, patients typically experience no pain thanks to the use of local anaesthesia. The anaesthetic ensures that the area around the ingrown toenail’s big toe is completely numb, significantly reducing any discomfort. This allows the podiatrist to focus on how to cut the ingrown toenail properly without causing any pain.
The ingrown surgery procedure typically starts with an injection of anaesthetic near the affected area. While the initial prick might cause a brief sting, the numbing effect quickly sets in, ensuring a painless experience from that point forward.
Throughout the surgery, which generally lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, you should feel little to no pain, allowing the podiatrist to effectively perform a partial nail avulsion.
Pain management is a critical aspect of this procedure. Effective use of local anaesthesia not only facilitates a smooth surgery, but also ensures your comfort. Addressing the pain during the operation ensures that the focus remains on carefully removing the ingrown portion of the nail.
Recovery Time Expectations
How long can you expect to recover after ingrown toenail surgery?
- The typical recovery period ranges from 2 to 6 weeks for full healing. However, you'll likely be able to return to work within 24 to 48 hours post-surgery, assuming your job doesn't involve excessive physical activity or potential injury to your foot.
- Your recovery's success largely depends on following proper aftercare instructions. You'll need to perform regular saline flushes and change dressings as directed by your podiatrist.
- It's essential to attend follow-up appointments, typically scheduled 48 hours after the procedure, to monitor your progress and ensure proper healing.
- The surgical procedure for ingrown toenails boasts a 98.5% success rate. During your recovery, your podiatrist will focus on achieving the best cosmetic outcomes and preventing infection.
While you may experience some discomfort and tenderness for a few weeks, most patients can resume normal activities within two weeks.
Post-Surgery Care Instructions
Post-surgery care instructions play a vital role in your recovery from an ingrown toenail procedure:
- Keeping your foot elevated for the first 1-2 days will help reduce swelling and discomfort.
- To manage any postoperative pain, you may need to take pain relief medication as prescribed by your doctor.
- It's essential to avoid weight-bearing activities for at least two weeks to ensure peak healing.
- To prevent infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics. Adhering to this prescription is necessary for promoting proper healing.
- Saltwater soaks, which are performed daily, help to keep the surgical site clean. Prepare a warm salt water solution and soak your foot for about 15 minutes each day. This aids in reducing inflammation and preventing infection.
- Changing the dressing on your toe daily is another vital step. Keep the wound clean and dry, replacing the bandage with a new one each day to avoid contamination.
Ensuring your post-surgery care is thorough and consistent will significantly enhance your recovery process, allowing you to return to your normal activities more quickly and preventing any complications that could arise from improper care.
When To Seek Professional Help
If you’ve been dealing with an ingrown toenail and home remedies aren’t cutting it, it’s time to seek professional help. When your attempts to alleviate the pain and discomfort at home prove ineffective, or if you notice signs of infection, don’t hesitate to consult a podiatrist. We are foot specialists that can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options, which may include surgical procedures like partial nail avulsion (or potentially less invasive solutions like the pag or Onyfix).
You’ll benefit from expert guidance throughout the treatment process if you seek professional help. A podiatrist can assess the severity of your condition and determine if surgical intervention is necessary. We’ll explain the procedure and expected outcomes, ensuring you’re well-informed about your treatment options.
Post-surgery, your podiatrist will provide vital instructions for care and recovery. Following our advice diligently will minimise discomfort and promote the best healing.
Summing It Up...
You’ll find that ingrown toenail surgery isn’t painful at all due to local anaesthesia. The procedure takes 30-45 minutes, and you’ll likely return to work within 24 to 48 hours.
Total recovery spans 2–6 weeks, depending on your commitment to postoperative care. Elevate your foot, manage pain, and change dressings regularly.
While complications are very rare, contact your podiatrist if you experience excessive pain, bleeding, or signs of infection. Proper care ensures excellent healing and prevents recurrence.
If you think you may have an ingrown toenail and want the right professional advice on how to treat it, we currently have a limited offer running to help you out. A GAP FREE ingrown toenail assessment consult (only $59 for those without extras private insurance).
Please feel free to book yourself in online or call our friendly Reception on (03) 8104 9270 today.
Ingrown Toenail Infection
Understand how you get ingrown toenails your self care home options and what you can do to get rid of them once and for all. You don't need to put up with the pain of an ingrown toenail any longer.
Bellevue Podiatry
Bellevue Podiatry has been serving the people of Rosanna and its surrounding suburbs for over 12 years. We have the qualifications, experience and education to effectively treat any lower limb condition or injury that requires expert podiatry care.
Article References:
If you would like a deeper understanding of the concepts and subject matter discussed here, please click on the below links:
- Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/ingrown-toenail-surgery
- Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ingrown-toenails/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355908
- Very Well Health: https://www.verywellhealth.com/ingrown-nails-1068826
- Foot Health Facts: https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/ingrown-toenail
- National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10874229/
- National Health Service: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ingrown-toenail/