The idea of nail surgery can be a little worrying. This is usually because members of the general public rarely come across it until it affects them or someone they’re close to. We may notice chiropodists’ or podiatrists’ clinics, but won’t often associate them with nail surgery.

Your first thoughts about nail surgery may only be when you’re experiencing extreme toe pain yourself!

Information about the conditions and remedies for toe nail problems will help to reassure you about nail surgery and enable you to select a Clinic which satisfies your individual requirements.

Nail surgery is usually performed where there’s pain and/or infection in the flesh of the toe around the nail. This can be caused by various problems. Antibiotics may destroy the infection and reduce painful swelling, but there’s risk of a return as the basic conditions remain. Surgery will cure these conditions and thus prevent the return of the problem.

The underlying cause may be something that’s happened to the toe – for instance bad nail cutting or something heavy being dropped on it. Alternatively it may be a nail that grows with deep sides or is very curved.

Nail surgery will be applied as appropriate for your particular case. For instance, where the nail has been damaged it is possible to remove the sides of the nail (partial nail avulsion) or the complete nail (total nail avulsion) but to leave the nail bed intact. This will allow the nail to grow back naturally and without future problems.

Where the problems are due to small deformities in the nail, then again the sides of the nail may be removed (partial nail avulsion) to relieve the pressure and pain. However as in this case the nail is likely to grow back in the same way, part of the nail bed will also be removed. A slightly thinner nail will grow in future. Careful surgery ensures that the nail maintains a pleasing look.

Knowing the use of nail surgery and its application in your situation will help you to appreciate the way clinics practise it.

Whilst the toe pain that brought you to have nail surgery will still be present, it will soon be relieved by the injection of anaesthetic into the base of the toe. This is usually the only uncomfortable part of the process. Once the pain has gone, you’ll be ready for the surgery.

You will need footwear that allows for dressings on your toe, without pressing on it. The dressings will need changing and you’ll need to return to the clinic for follow-up. Once surgery is over (15-20 minutes) the toe will be dressed and you’ll be given advice on resting, using painkillers if necessary and then you can return home. It’s unlikely that you’ll have much pain, but if you do, paracetemol, ibuprofen, or nurofen (but not aspirin) are recommended.

You’ll see that nail surgery is a clear procedure which offers fast relief from severe pain. Choose your practitioner by inspecting qualifications, the welcome and information offered by the clinic and your own impressions. Do you feel satisfied and comfortable with the information and answers offered? Ask other local people for information about their experiences. Then make your choice and get your appointment.

Of course your welcome at the Clinic and the possibility of making a quick appointment will also influence your decision.

A good Clinic will reassure you and help you appreciate the wonderful relief that nail surgery will bring.

Nail surgery need not be as daunting as it sounds. A registered Podiatrist will be able to explain every details of the procedure and the after care required. To find out more visit Wigan Chiropody, one of the leading Podiatrists in Wigan.