Nicholas Campitelli, DPM | Akron Podiatrist | Foot and Ankle Surgeon

The Foot Doc Blog – Leading Blog on foot and ankle pain

Providing information on foot, toes, and ankle pain or deformities. Questions? Please ask them in the comments section below. Check out our Youtube and Instagram sites as well.

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Suffering from a severely painful toenail that is constantly irritated with shoes and impossible to cut?  Surgical removal is most likely the best option.  Toenail deformities can be the result of trauma to the nail plate which can occur from dropping something on your toe, or simply through years of irritation of the nail plate on a shoe.  Nail fungus can also be the cause of a deformed toenail, so it is imperative to first have the nail tested for fungus before making any decisions to permanently remove the toenail.


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Suffering from an infected ingrown toenail?

There are two possible solutions for you to fix your ingrown toenail. If this is the first time you are experiencing an ingrown toenail, then a nail avulsion would be indicated. This is a surgical procedure performed in the office where the ingrown border of the nail plate is surgically excised. Antibiotics are typically not needed and the condition resolves by simply removing the ingrown nail border. The recovery period is usually 7-10 days and heavy activity such as running can be performed within 24-48 hours.

CAUTION:  THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS REAL SURGICAL FOOTAGE

For recurrent cases of ingrown toenails, a permanent procedure is typically chosen. This involves the same technique as a nail avulsion, but a chemical is introduced into the nail groove and the nail matrix (cells that form the nail) is ablated to prevent the border of the nail from growing back.  The recovery period is slightly extended for this procedure as drainage usually occurs for 14 days. Regular activity, as well as exercise,  can again take place in 24-48 hours.

Questions?  Post in the comments section below!

 


9318 ST RT 43, Streetsboro, OH

2660 West Market Street, Fairlawn, OH

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