Surgical Options
Generally speaking, surgical strategies have much better results in terms of preventing reoccurrence than non-surgical options.
We rely on either one of two approaches to correct an ingrown toenail. One targets the nail plate itself and the other focuses on the lateral skin folds that surround the toenail.
Usually, the former is the cause of it all and the preferred procedure is a “wedge resection,” which concerns the removal of the affected sector, which will serve to prevent that part of the nail from regrowing and will permanently reduce the width of the toe nail.
Removal of the entire toe nail is a painless surgical procedure officially known as Nail Plate Avulsion. This is highly recommended in the instance of severe infection.
Matrixectomy is a painless procedure in which the surgeon removes not only the nail border but also a small portion of the nail bed itself.
The entire toe is anesthetized, after which the process takes just a few minutes to complete. Painful, troublesome portions of the nail are removed with instruments that are specifically designed for this particular surgery.