If conservative treatment of nail conditions is unsuccessful or inappropriate then nail surgery is an alternative option.
Nail surgery is carried out in many of the local clinics.
In a healthy individual the healing time varies from 8-14 weeks
Two procedures are available:
- total nail avulsion, when the whole nail is removed or
- partial nail avulsion when only part of the nail is removed
Both 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 phenol to the nail bed area.
The area is dressed and consequent dressings are changed daily by the patient at home.
In a healthy individual the healing time varies from 8-14 weeks, certain conditions can delay this process.