Nail Surgery for Ingrown Toenails: Everything You Need to Know
- brandonpodiatry
- Aug 2
- 6 min read
Recurring ingrown toenails can be painful, frustrating, and affect your everyday life. If you've tried cutting the nail yourself, changing your footwear, or even repeated courses of antibiotics without long-term success, nail surgery may be the solution.
At Brandon Podiatry, we regularly help patients find lasting relief from painful ingrown toenails with a simple, safe procedure performed under local anaesthetic. In this guide, we'll explain what nail surgery involves, when it's recommended, and what you can expect before, during, and after your appointment
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail develops when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin instead of over it. This most commonly affects the big toe and can cause:
Pain or tenderness
Redness and swelling
Bleeding
Infection or discharge
Difficulty wearing shoes
Pain when walking or exercising
Ingrown toenails can occur for several reasons, including naturally curved nails, cutting nails too short or down the sides, trauma to the toe, tight footwear, or genetic factors. While some mild cases settle with conservative treatment, others become recurrent and require a more permanent solution.
When should you see a podiatrist?
Many people wait until their toe becomes infected before seeking help, but early assessment is often the best approach.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that patients with persistent pain, recurrent ingrown toenails, or signs of infection should be assessed by a healthcare professional. Prompt treatment can help prevent complications and is particularly important for people with diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system (NICE, 2024).
If your ingrown toenail keeps returning or is affecting your daily life, it's time to seek professional advice
What is nail surgery?
Despite the name, nail surgery is a straightforward minor procedure that permanently treats the section of nail causing the problem.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, meaning your toe is completely numb before treatment begins. Once numb, the offending edge of the nail is carefully removed. In some cases, the whole nail may need to be removed, although this is much less common.
To reduce the chance of the nail growing back, a chemical called phenol is applied to the nail matrix (the part of the nail responsible for growth). This procedure is known as a chemical matrixectomy.
The entire appointment usually takes less than an hour, and you'll be able to walk out of the clinic with a protective dressing in place.
Does nail surgery hurt?
This is one of the questions we're asked most often.
The local anaesthetic injections can cause a brief sting for a few seconds, but once the toe is numb, you should not feel pain during the procedure.
After the anaesthetic wears off, it's normal to experience some mild discomfort for a day or two. This is usually well controlled with simple pain relief and by following the aftercare advice provided by your podiatrist.
Watch: Partial vs Total Nail Avulsion (PNA vs TNA)
Not sure what the difference is between a Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) and a Total Nail Avulsion (TNA)?
A Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) involves removing only the section of the nail that is causing the problem. It is the most common type of nail surgery and is typically recommended for recurring ingrown toenails, allowing the healthy part of the nail to remain in place.
A Total Nail Avulsion (TNA) involves removing the entire toenail. This may be recommended when the whole nail is affected by disease, severe deformity, trauma, or infection, or when removing only part of the nail is unlikely to resolve the problem. Your podiatrist will discuss whether this is the most appropriate treatment for your individual needs.
We've created a short video visualising both procedures ⬇️
What happens after the procedure?
Following nail surgery, your toe will be dressed before you leave the clinic.
At Brandon Podiatry, your treatment doesn't end once the procedure is complete. Your surgery package includes follow-up redressing appointments so we can monitor healing, answer any questions, and ensure your recovery is progressing as expected.
Healing varies from person to person, but most patients can return to normal daily activities within a few days while the toe continues to heal over the following weeks.
Your podiatrist will advise you on:
Dressing care
Keeping the toe clean
Suitable footwear
Returning to work and exercise
Recognising signs of infection
When to attend your follow-up appointments
Following your aftercare instructions is one of the most important factors in achieving a smooth recovery.
How successful is nail surgery?
Nail surgery is recognised as one of the most effective long-term treatments for recurrent ingrown toenails.
The Royal College of Podiatry advises that removing the problematic section of nail and treating the nail matrix significantly reduces the likelihood of recurrence. Research also shows that using phenol during the procedure is associated with lower recurrence rates compared with removing the nail alone (Bostanci et al., 2023).
Although no treatment can guarantee that an ingrown toenail will never return, recurrence following phenol nail surgery is uncommon when the procedure is appropriately performed.
Can anyone have nail surgery?
Most people are suitable candidates for nail surgery.
Before recommending treatment, we'll carry out a thorough assessment of your medical history, medications, circulation, and overall foot health to ensure the procedure is appropriate for you.
Many people living with diabetes can also undergo nail surgery safely, although additional assessment and careful aftercare may be required depending on their individual circumstances.
Why choose Brandon Podiatry?
Choosing where to have your nail surgery is just as important as deciding to have the procedure itself.
At Brandon Podiatry you'll receive:
Treatment from HCPC-registered podiatrists.
Care based on current NICE guidance and Royal College of Podiatry recommendations.
A comprehensive assessment before treatment.
Modern, purpose-built clinical facilities.
Detailed aftercare and follow-up appointments.
Friendly, professional care from an experienced team.
We're committed to providing evidence-based treatment while making every patient feel comfortable and supported throughout their journey.
Private treatment without lengthy waiting lists
Living with an ingrown toenail can be incredibly painful, and for many people, waiting for treatment simply isn't ideal.
As an independent podiatry clinic, Brandon Podiatry offers prompt assessments and treatment, so you don't have to remain on an NHS waiting list before receiving expert care. If nail surgery is the right option for you, we can discuss your treatment plan and arrange your procedure as soon as possible, helping you get back to walking comfortably sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does nail surgery take?
The procedure itself usually takes around 60 minutes, including preparation and dressing the toe afterwards.
Will I be asleep?
No. Nail surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you'll be awake throughout but your toe will be completely numb.
Can I walk afterwards?
Yes. You'll be able to walk out of the clinic following your procedure, although we recommend taking it easy for the rest of the day.
Will my nail grow back?
If phenol is applied to the nail matrix, the aim is to permanently prevent the treated edge of the nail from growing back. The remaining nail is left looking as natural as possible.
What should I wear?
Loose-fitting footwear or open-toed sandals are often the most comfortable choice after your appointment, as they help avoid unnecessary pressure on the toe.
Don't let an ingrown toenail control your life
If you've been living with recurring pain, infection, or discomfort, you don't have to put up with it any longer.
Nail surgery is a safe, effective, evidence-based treatment that can provide long-term relief and help you get back to doing the things you enjoy.
If you'd like to find out whether nail surgery is right for you, book a nail surgery assessment with Brandon Podiatry today. We'll guide you through every step of the process and ensure you receive the highest standard of care from your first appointment to your final dressing change.
References
Bostanci, S. et al. (2023) A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials on surgical treatments for ingrown toenails. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 16.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2024) Clinical Knowledge Summary: Ingrown Toenail. London: NICE.
Royal College of Podiatry (2026) Ingrowing Toenail. London: Royal College of Podiatry.
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