|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

Toenail Surgery & Infection

There are two primary causes of toenail infections--fungal infections and infections that result from ingrown toenails. Fungal toenail infections are typically treated with topical or oral anti-fungal and antibacterial medications and do not require surgery. Ingrown toenails can cause extreme pain and discomfort for the patient. This condition can make it difficult to walk, and if left untreated, the toenail can become inflamed and infected. One of the most effective treatments for ingrown toenails is toenail surgery to remove the irritating portion of the nail.

  1. Causes

    • Ingrown toenails can be caused by trimming the toenails incorrectly, from wearing shoes that are too tight or that don't fit properly, from tearing the toenails at the corners or from trauma to the toes. Certain medical conditions and obesity can also cause ingrown toenails. Once the toenail grows into the lateral nail groove, the area can become inflamed resulting in drainage and infection.

    Age

    • People in their 20s and 30s are most commonly afflicted with ingrown toenails, presumably because they are most likely to wear tight or ill-fitting dress shoes for longer periods of time. Teenagers are the next most common sufferers as a result of improperly trimmed toenails.

    Stages

    • Ingrown toenails are categorized by three stages. Stage 1 is characterized by slight swelling and inflammation at the site. Stage 2 is characterized by intensification of the swelling and inflammation and accompanied by drainage and infection. Stage 3 is marked by a magnification of all symptoms along with the presence of granularized tissue and an increase in muscle mass at the site of infection.

    Surgery

    • Stage 1 ingrown toenails are most frequently treated with warm soaks and antibiotic therapy. Stage 2 and 3 ingrown toenails typically require a surgical procedure known as lateral nail avulsion to remove the portion of the toenail that is causing the discomfort and infection. A procedure called electrocautery ablation is frequently performed to prevent the ingrown portion of the nail from growing back. Once the surgical procedure is complete an antibiotic ointment is typically applied and the area is dressed with a gauze wrapping.

    Post-Surgical Care

    • Once discharged, patients are usually instructed to treat the affected area daily with an antibiotic ointment. Over-the- counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be recommended to control pain. The affected area should be cleaned daily with clean, warm water until it is completely healed.

Surgeries - Related Articles