Nail surgery is a minor curative surgery offered by the podiatry service when repeated routine/return treatments of the nail conditions have been unsuccessful.

For instance, if a nail problem is persistently infected or painful over a period of treatments or time, then nail surgery will be offered as a cure. Podiatry services where possible will aim to provide a cure.

The nail surgery is carried out in many of the local clinics with a healing time from 8-14 weeks in healthy individuals.

There are two procedures available that have been detailed below. Both of these procedures are performed after the area is anaesthetised by injecting a small quantity of local anaesthetic into the base of the affected toe.

Once anaesthetised, the nail is gently removed and can be prevented from growing back by applying a controlled amount of a substance called Phenol to the nail bed area. The area is dressed with further dressings changed daily by the patient at home.

In a healthy individual, the healing time varies from 8-14 weeks, however certain health conditions can delay this healing process.