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Partial nail avulsion is a procedure that involves removing a portion of the toenail from its nail root. The technique is designed to treat ingrown toenails by removing the entire nail edge that is cutting into the sides of the skin.
Several methods of partial nail avulsion are performed, some of which, especially the traditional techniques, can be very invasive and often done in an operating theatre. At Straits Podiatry, a partial nail avulsion can be easily performed in the clinic using a minimally invasive method within 30 minutes.
Many patients suffer repeated episodes of ingrown toenails despite having their nails treated or removed before. This is because the underlying nail root is still functional, and the nail continues to grow. It is important to understand that a partial nail avulsion alone does not prevent the nail from growing back.
The only proven long-term solution to recurrent ingrown toenails is to apply a chemical to destroy the nail root completely following a partial nail avulsion. This complete procedure is known as partial nail avulsion with chemical maxtrixectomy. This has proved to be highly effective with low recurrence rates.
Yes, this is true. Unlike the traditional methods where the skin at the sides of the nail is cut open and stitched after, leaving behind a highly noticeable scar and deformed nail, a partial nail avulsion with chemical matrixectomy requires none of those. The procedure is also painless as local anaesthesia will be used.
The procedure is carried out as follows:
You might be wondering, “wouldn’t there be a gap between the remaining nail and the skin?”. Yes, that is correct. However, this is the same as a wisdom tooth extraction, the gap will close once the wound has healed.
The expected recovery for partial nail avulsion with chemical matrixectomy is between 2 to 4 weeks and is highly dependent on the age and health of the individual. Physical activity should be avoided following the procedure until otherwise advised.
Your podiatrist will also advise you on the management of the wound and suitable footwear options following the procedure. Generally, open-toed footwear is preferred to ensure minimal compression over the wound.
It is advisable for individuals suffering from recurrent ingrown toenails to undergo the procedure when they are young and healthy as there are conditions where this procedure should be avoided.
Partial nail avulsion with chemical matrixectomy should be avoided if you have:
Your podiatrist should assess the above to ensure that you are a suitable candidate prior to performing the procedure.
