Ingrown nails can be extremely uncomfortable.  They are caused from a bacterial infection typically in the big toe.  Often times patients will have a history of ingrown toenails or family history of ingrown toenails.  It is important to not try and treat ingrown toenails at home as this typically will make the infection worse.  Ingrown nails themselves typically present as pain and swelling along the border of the toenail where the skin, patients will experience some drainage from the site and is often painful at times.

I recommend patients are evaluated when their nails are sore, red, thickened or painful with walking.  There are many different options for treating an ingrown nail however typically the offending nail border has to be removed.  Once removal is performed the procedure of choice is really dictated by the number of ingrown toenails the patient has experienced.  The two options are an incision and drainage or what is called a matrixectomy.

Option one or incision and drainage involves removal of the offending nail border.  This is typically done on just the side that is painful.  Prior to removal the toe is anesthetized, cleaned and sterile prep.  Nail is then removed with the hemostat appendicitis, flushed and covered with a sterile compressive dressing.  Typical recovery from something like this is patients can return to activities the next day or so once a day for 1 week.

A matrixectomy involves a similar technique as described above.  However once the nail is removed the nail cells are cauterized to prevent them from growing back.  Matrixectomy is a procedure specifically designed for someone that has a history of recurrent ingrown toenails or long family history of ingrown nails.  The patient’s toe will be red and sore often times for 2-3 weeks after the procedure.

If you’re experiencing painful swollen digit please give me a call today and I can help 425-391-8666, or make an appointment online. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Board-Certified Foot and Ankle Physician and Surgeon